What tools or methods do you use to monitor your vision at home?
How often do you use your Amsler Grid? Everyone has a different routine. What's yours?
I use the Amsler grid most days. I tried the ForeSee home monitoring device but after a trial was told I was not a good candidate for it. I recently learned about an online weekly monitoring website from a community member. https://kysvision.com/
I am going to ask my doctor about it at my visit the 15th.
Sharon Moon Patient LeaderI will keep you posted. I learned about it through a comment on our Facebook page. Sharon
I use the Amsler grid too...for a number of years. My right eye is my "bad" eye and for a long time the central dot was invisible to me for that eye. However, I've noticed recently that I can see it. I know my vision is worsening, so this makes no sense to me. I do know that you tend to accommodate by changing the direction of your focus. That's probably not a very good description, but the whole thing is curious! In general, my vision seems to effect my artwork more and more. That's my main judge regarding how I'm doing.
- You caught my attention when you mentioned how your vision affects your art work. Did you know Monet had the serious vision issue but he saw it as a benefit and resisted correcting his cataracts until he was in his 80’s? The article on this site, “Monet & Macular Degeneration,” gives you the specifics. You can find it under: Community>Community Health Leaders>Linda Hoopes>Read more>Click here to read all Linda’s articles>scroll down to “Monet” & click. I bet you will find it interesting. Linda Hoopes, Advocate & Team Member
I know this answer may be a highly unusual & possibly controversial but it works for me - I do very little to monitor my vision at home, including viewing the Amsler Grid. I found for me, putting too much time & attention on testing my vision caused anxiety and created fear (False Evidence Appearing Real) that things were getting worse when they were not!. However, I do notice differences reading signs in a car or reading small type. Some days, I see more clearly than others, plus it makes a difference if it’s cloudy vs. sunny. I also have a family history of DRY AMD & feel the risk of it turning wet are low. All this has lead me to move away from constantly checking my vision at home in order to preserve my mental health and to remain optimistic. Like I said, it works for me NOT to be extra vigilant but it may not work for everyone! Linda Hoopes, Advocate & Team Member
I rarley use the grid. What good does it do. If it stays dry nothing can help. If it goes wet then i will know without a grid.
Good point, Wendy - I do believe our eyes work together & compensate for the other so covering one eye is a good idea. While in the car, I often close one eye & check both. Linda Hoopes, Team Member
