Especially in wet AMD with its rapid progression, early detection is crucial. Anyone over 40 should have their eyes checked by an ophthalmologist annually or at least every two years. A recommendation, which not enough humans follow: A worldwide survey conducted by the Gallup polling institute in 2005 showed that only about half of the German citizens surveyed follow this recommendation, with a quarter having had their last eye exam more than a year ago, and 24% having not visited their eye doctor for more than two years. This means that around 20 million Germans neglect their eyesight – in many cases out of ignorance.
Suspicion and diagnosis
Because the healthy eye often compensates for the visual changes of the diseased eye, one should occasionally cover the right and left eye alternately in order to perceive changes in the vision of each eye even earlier. A more precise examination of whether symptoms of AMD are present can be easily performed with the so-called Amsler grid test: The grid is held in front of the eye in bright light at a distance of 30 – 40 centimeters. Glasses or contact lenses should be removed for the test. One hand is used to cover one eye while the other eye fixates the dot in the center. If the lines around the fixed point are crooked and wasted, the affected person should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
Blackbird grid test:
The ophthalmologist can also confirm the suspected diagnosis with a fundus examination (ophthalmoscopy) and imaging of the retinal vessels using fluorescein angiography. Changes in the center of the retina, such as typical pigmentary condensations, can thus be detected early and before the onset of visual disturbances.
