Unit 7: Gradual Loss of Vision

For unilateral disease, use Amsler chart

Amsler chart

Patients are instructed to close one eye and fixate on the central spot with the other. If they notice increasing distortion or missing areas, they should present urgently.

Amsler appearing as 'normal'

Source: Amsler Grid, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, used under CC BY 2.0.

Example of Amsler distortion

Source: Distorted Amsler Grid, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, used under CC BY 2.0.

to monitor for fellow eye involvement
Stop smoking
Counselling
Low vision aids
Registration as 'sight impaired' or 'severely sight impaired' (for social support)
No treatment for dry AMD
Wet AMD treated with regular intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF drugs
If one eye develops wet AMD, specific dietary supplements may reduce the risk of fellow eye involvement

2: Age-related Macula Degeneration (AMD)