Amsler Grid

The Amsler grid is a useful tool to detect vision problems resulting from damage to the macula (the central part of the retina).

Report any irregularity to your eye care professional immediately.

The grid does not replace having your macula tested by an eye care professional, particularly if you are over 50 yrs old or have any risk factors for macular degeneration.

Amsler Grid

How to do it

  1. Cover one eye, then focus on the dot in the centre.
  2. Do any of the lines look wavy, blurred or distorted?
  3. Are there any missing areas or dark areas in the grid?
  4. Don't forget to test
    both eyes.

Connecting with the medical, optometry and pharmacy community   
 

Have you noticed your GP or Optometrist displaying the new MDNZ poster encouraging people to "Take the test' with the Amsler Grid?

Around the country, many GP medical practices are recognising the importance of increasing awareness by displaying the Amsler Grid poster and initiating conversations about MD.

During 2014 we attended two GP conferences Rotorua and Dunedin), the NZ Association of Optometrists conference, the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists conference and the Goodfellow Learning Conference.

 

  

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We have given over 6500 information packs to these groups at conferences and during Awareness Week.

In July we launched the first online continuing professional development course for medical and allied health professionals to complete.  By the end of the year 54 professionals had completed the course with very favourable feedback about the usefullness of the course.

To participate in this FREE online course go to www.goodfellowlearning.org.nz and search for Understanding Macular Degeneration.

Learn more about Macular Degeneration

Find out how MD affects the lives of real New Zealanders. Watch the video, learn about the risks and see how MD is a growing problem in our society.

 

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 Video  

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Map: Where is MD in NZ?

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a growing problem in NZ. Total prevalence is predicted to be 206,908 in 2018.

View more

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Getting tested is simple

There is a quick and easy way to tell if MD affects your vision.  Click on the link below to see if you have the common warning signs.

Test Button

  MDNZ Website 3steps

What you need to know

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What's the chance?

In New Zealand MD affects 1 in 7 people over the age of 50 years

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Smoking

Smokers have 3 times the risk of developing MD and tend to develop MD 10 years earlier than non-smokers

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Is it getting worse?

It is estimated the number of people with MD will increase by 70% by 2030
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More common than you think

Age related Macular Degeneration is the most common cause of blindness

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You need to know!

Of those most at risk (50+) 67% have heard of MD and only 48% understand that it is an eye disorder. *Galaxy Poll March 2014

People with a family history of MD have a 50% chance of inheriting the genetic predisposition of developing MD.

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What if I don't have treatment?

Untreated, the majority of people with wet MD become functionally blind within 2 years

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Stories

Eric's Story

Retired Gisborne cartoonist and graphic designer has spent a lifetime creating fine art work but did not start wearing glasses until the age of 84.  After trying on a pair of his late wife's glasses one day he was surprised how much clearer everything was so had his eyes checked.    He was in for another surprise, they found a serious defect in his right eye - he had macular degeneration.     Read Eric's story....

Colin's Story

As a writer, and an occasional artist, my first reaction to being told that I had Macular Degeneration was to think what life would be like if I couldn’t see all that was around me.
Read Story

Grant's Story

I had no idea my life was about to change forever when I visited my optometrist for a routine check-up five years ago.

Read Story

“In April 2008 after 4 monthly treatments of Lucentis
my sight had not only stabilized, but improved...”