Accurate diagnosis is made through a combination of a clinical exam and specific tests. These can include retinal photography, angiography, and optical coherence tomography.
Macular degeneration is usually classified as atrophic (dry) or exudative (wet) forms.
In this article, you’ll learn when to get tested for macular degeneration, which tests diagnose it, and early symptoms to watch out for.
Eye Examination and Tests
To check for macular degeneration, an ophthalmologist or optometrist will perform a comprehensive eye exam. They will dilate your eyes to see a magnified view of the macula.
Studying the macula and other structures of the eye will help your doctor make a diagnosis and may include the following tests.
Dilated Eye Exam
A healthcare provider will dilate your pupils with eye drops to view the back of your retina. Dilation makes it possible for them to check the back of the eye for signs of disease, like retinal and optic nerve disease damage.
A dilated retinal exam allows the doctor to see a magnified view of the macula. They may note a mottled appearance caused by pigmentary changes in the macula.
Ophthalmoscopy
An ophthalmoscope is an instrument used to examine the eye’s interior structures, especially the retina. It consists of a mirror that reflects light into the eye and a central hole through which the eye is examined. Your healthcare provider will be able to detect any damage or changes in the retina and macula.
Fluorescein Angiography
Healthcare providers will use a method of injecting a special dye into the bloodstream, then photograph the circulation of this dye within your eye. If fluorescent patches appear, your healthcare provider may suspect leaking blood vessels in the retina.
Optical Coherence Tomography
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a test that optometrists and ophthalmologists use to image the back of your eye. This includes the macula, optic nerve, retina, and choroid.
OCT can identify regions of the retina that are thinning, which indicates geographic atrophy. An OCT test is able to show changes in the retina in greater detail than any other instrument.
Tonometry
Tonometry is a test to measure the pressure inside your eyes, or intraocular eye pressure (IOP). High eye pressure can damage the delicate nerve fibers in the back of your eye, and can sometimes result in blindness.
Elevated eye pressure isn’t directly related to macular degeneration, but it’s performed to rule out other conditions, like glaucoma. This is important so that it can be determined for sure if vision loss is coming from a disease of the macular or other parts of the eye.
Fundus Autofluorescence Imaging
This imaging method uses the body’s natural fluorescence to study the retina. Certain structures in the body will light up when exposed to light. Atrophied sections of the eye do not light up, which may indicate a diagnosis of macular degeneration.
Amsler Grid
Your ophthalmologist may ask you to look at an Amsler grid. This grid will help you notice any blurry or blank spots in your field of vision.
Self Checks and At-Home Testing
Report sudden changes in your vision to your healthcare provider. Some changes can mark the beginning of macular degeneration.
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Some people suddenly notice discrepancies when they look at things like miniblinds or other items with straight lines. Some of the lines may appear wavy or inconsistent with the other lines.
How to Use the Amsler Grid
Keep the Amsler grid somewhere you’ll look at it every day, like on the refrigerator door or bathroom mirror. Take a look at the grid standing about 12 to 15 inches away. Make sure you are wearing your reading glasses if you wear them regularly.
Cover one eye and look directly at the dot in the center of the grid with your uncovered eye. Note if any of the lines appear bent or wavy. Also, check to see if any part of the grid looks blurry, dim, or out of proportion. Now cover your other eye and test your vision the same way.
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has provided a helpful Amsler grid for your convenience.
Age-related macular degeneration causes vision changes over time. Treating these changes early can help to slow or prevent further vision loss.
Schedule Eye Exams
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that everyone aged 40 and 54 get a comprehensive eye exam at least every two to four years. This can help early detection of age-related macular degeneration.
By age 55, adults should schedule an eye exam every one to three years.
Most people with macular degeneration will keep their vision for most of their lives. After many years, if vision loss does occur, it is usually central vision, while side and peripheral vision are preserved.
Quit smokingMaintain a healthy blood pressureConsume an antioxidant-rich dietTake key supplements for vision healthMake smart carb choicesWear sunglassesGet regular eye exams
A common early symptom of wet macular degeneration is that straight lines appear wavy and distorted. For dry macular degeneration, you may experience blurred vision.
