Amsler Grid, lack of self-confidence, and reading tips

[oldoakowl]

When I use the grid, I cannot see changes from day to day. I worry that I am missing something. The fear is made worse because I feel my reading ability is deteriorating.

I live in the States and do not have to wait two weeks for an appointment. When I call and say I think I see a change, I am seen the same day. Once it was a false alarm, but the second time, I was diagnosed with wet MD (same eye). I was really worried it was nothing the second time, as the change was subtle.

So - any tips for figuring out subtle changes?

And any tips for reading more easily? One eye is almost normal, the other one distorts the letters. I am always fiddling with the text size on my computer screen trying to find where the distortion is least bothersome. I end up squinting, then shutting that eye. My kids say I should get an eye patch and pretend I am a pirate.

[rosyG]

it sounds as if you are very aware because you were able to spot the wet AMD I use the ambler grid but also look at things like the window ledges which seemed curved instead of straight when I started with wet AMD The distortion is likely from the oedema with wet AMD as you know. Don't think you should go down the pirate route!! Take care

[oldoakowl in reply to rosyG]

I think there is a lot I don't know! If the shots stop the edema, does the distortion go away? It has been steady since the wet MD started, about 4 months ago. Or do they stop the leakage of blood or other fluid, but don't stop the swelling?

I figured the distortion was permanent. I don't understand why the leakage of fluid causes the distortion, what the mechanics are. And I don't know what part of the eye is damaged, causing the distortion.

Dry MD is easier for me to understand, for the most part. I don't understand why it is worse in one eye than the other or why it appears to get better if I roll my eyes around. Look center, big dark grey spot, look up, look right, look down, look left, look center, smaller lighter grey spot.

[rosyG in reply to oldoakowl]

I think we have some residual oedema even after the injections have worked well but I don’t know how much is thought to be ok so injections are not required.

[Hidden]

Hi, I was told to check Amsler weekly as that stops us getting too obsessed and is quick enough if there are changes. I mark mine in pencil so it's easier to tell between viewings. Looking at door frames etc like rosyg says is what I do if I think my reading is getting worse - its a very good indicator and more obvious than the little amsler lines.There's someone on here, can't recall who, that wears a patch and swears by it. Seems reasonable to me. Ask your clinic maybe?

I don't know the actual science words for what happens in the eye but I've always thought it's like looking into water - if you put a straight stick half way in refraction means you see it as bent, and that's what I imagine the oedema does with whatever we look at through it. Explains why we can also see things fine if we're looking through the bit where there's no oedema. Also why the distortion can go if the oedema goes ( sometimes damage is permanent though).

Good luck going forwards.

[Catseyes235]

Yes don’t use the grid daily. I hardly use at all now but any straight vertical or horizontal surface - window bars, staircase - will do. The injections stop the leakage and thus the distortion. The Macular Society have a great video to explain everything. You could cover one eye when working on computer if it helps. I had thyroid eye disease which caused a squint until an op and wore an eye patch (I made leather ones!) but the worse thing was kids staring and calling me a pirate ..probably worse still is parents who don’t stop them! Good luck.

[oldoakowl]

I thank all of you! I'm happy to report that we skipped the scheduled injections last week because my eyes had stabilized. I still have the distortions (and a black floater that I consistently mistake for an ant, ugh) so I guess they reflect permanent damage. I think I will try an eye patch for computer work. Only I will know and I won't be rude to myself.

I am so grateful to have this forum and the help members so freely give.