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General information only, not medical advice. Anyone who notices a change in their vision should contact an eye care professional.
Short answer
The Amsler grid test is a simple at-home check in which a person looks at a grid of straight lines with a central dot, one eye at a time, and notes whether the lines look wavy, blurred or missing. BrightFocus Foundation describes it as a way to help detect early signs of retinal disease such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It does not replace regular eye exams.
Definition and scope
What is an Amsler grid?
An Amsler grid is a pattern of straight lines with a dot in the centre. The person being tested focuses on the dot and watches how the surrounding lines appear. BrightFocus, a nonprofit funder of macular research, says the grid helps detect early signs of retinal disease such as AMD, and that for people already diagnosed with dry AMD it can help detect progression to the wet form.
Amsler grid uses
The grid is a screening aid, not a diagnostic instrument. It shows the person, and the clinician they report to, whether the pattern of lines has changed. Diagnosing AMD is a separate task: the National Eye Institute (NIH) states that eye doctors can check for AMD as part of a comprehensive dilated eye exam and may also recommend optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Amsler grid printable
The grid is a printed or on-screen chart. BrightFocus offers a free Amsler grid that can be downloaded and printed on plain white paper.
What the grid shows
BrightFocus notes that testing each eye separately matters: with both eyes open, the good eye can compensate for an eye with wet AMD, which can hide a problem. An eye without wet AMD will usually see all the lines as straight, while an eye with wet AMD may see lines that look wavy, dim, irregular or fuzzy, or curved, or blocked by a gray, white, black or red area.
Screening versus diagnosis
| Question | Amsler grid | Clinic examination |
|---|---|---|
| What does it show? | Whether lines look distorted or areas look missing (BrightFocus). | Eye doctors can check for AMD as part of a comprehensive dilated eye exam (NEI). |
| Does it replace regular eye exams? | No. BrightFocus: “This test does not replace regular eye exams.” | Not applicable. |
| Further testing named by the source | None. | Optical coherence tomography (OCT) may be recommended (NEI). |
Where it matters for labs, clinics and supply decisions
For clinic staff, the grid is one of the small items on an eye-care supply list. CASRAI’s optometry clinic supply checklist lists an Amsler grid for detecting central visual field distortion among its supply items. Related background is in the guides on the ophthalmoscope and ophthalmology.
BrightFocus also notes that large drusen, semi-solid deposits that form under the retina in AMD, can cause slight waviness of the lines in a few places, so some waviness can be present for a given person.
Common misunderstandings
- It is not a diagnosis. A normal-looking grid does not rule out disease, and an abnormal one does not identify its cause.
- Both eyes open hides problems. Each eye is tested alone.
- Some waviness can be present without a change. Large drusen can cause it.
FAQ
What is an Amsler grid test used for?
Per BrightFocus, it helps detect early signs of retinal disease such as AMD and can help detect progression of dry AMD to the wet form.
Does the Amsler grid replace an eye exam?
No. BrightFocus says it does not replace regular eye exams, and NEI says eye doctors can check for AMD in a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
Is there a printable Amsler grid?
Yes. BrightFocus provides a free grid that can be downloaded and printed on plain white paper.
Sources
- BrightFocus Foundation, Amsler Grid Eye Test, https://www.brightfocus.org/macular/article/amsler-grid, checked 30 October 2026.
- National Eye Institute (NIH), Age-Related Macular Degeneration, https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration, checked 30 October 2026.
