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The Amsler grid
The Amsler grid is a square of straight lines with a dot in the middle. Looking at the dot with one eye at a time, you check whether any lines look wavy, blurred, or missing — a way to monitor the macula, the central part of the retina.
These are self-screening tools for general awareness, not a medical diagnosis. Screen brightness, colour calibration and room lighting all change what you see. See an optometrist or ophthalmologist for any real concern, for a proper eye test, and urgently if vision changes suddenly.
What it watches for
Distortion or gaps on the grid can be an early sign of a macular problem such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). People being monitored for AMD are often asked to check a grid regularly at home so a change is caught early, when treatment for some types works best.
This one is a genuine warning sign
Unlike the other checks here, a new change on the Amsler grid — lines that suddenly look wavy, dark or absent — is a reason to contact an eye-care professional quickly, not to wait. It does not diagnose anything by itself, but it can flag a change that needs urgent attention.
Other eye checks
Colour vision (colour blindness)
How the dotted-plate colour test works, and what red–green colour vision deficiency actually is.
Contrast sensitivity
Not the same as sharpness — how well you tell subtle shades apart, which matters for night driving and fog.
Near vision and reading
Why small print gets harder from your forties, and what a reading check does.
Astigmatism
When the eye is shaped more like a rugby ball than a football, blurring near and far.
Source: General optometry references. A screen-based check is not a diagnosis — see an optometrist or ophthalmologist. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean if the lines look wavy?
Wavy, blurred or missing lines can indicate a change at the macula and should be checked by an eye-care professional promptly, especially if it is new or in one eye.
How often should I use an Amsler grid?
If you have been given one to monitor a condition, follow your eye clinic's advice — often daily or weekly, one eye at a time, wearing your reading glasses.
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