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Home vision tests - Risks

Alternative Names

Visual acuity test - home; Amsler grid test

What the risks are:

The tests have no risks.

Special considerations:

If you have any of the following symptoms, get a professional eye examination:

  • Difficulty focusing on near objects
  • Double vision
  • Eye pain
  • Feeling like there is a "skin" or "film" over the eye or eyes
  • Frequent changing of glasses
  • Light flashes, dark spots, or ghost-like images
  • Objects or faces looking blurred or foggy
  • Rainbow-colored rings around lights
  • Straight lines look wavy
  • Trouble seeing at night, trouble adjusting to darkened rooms

If children have any of the following symptoms, they should also have a professional eye examination:

  • Crossed eyes
  • Difficulty in school
  • Excessive blinking
  • Getting very close to an object (for example, the television) in order to see it
  • Head tilting
  • Squinting
  • Watery eyes
  • Reviewed last on: 2/10/2011
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Colenbrander A. Measuring vision and vision loss. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:chap 51.

Skarf B, Glaser JS, Trick GL. Neuro-ophthalmologic examination: the visual sensory system. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:chap 2.

American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Patterns Committee. Preferred Practice Pattern Guidelines. Comprehensive Adult Medical Eye Evaluation. San Francisco, CA: American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2010. Accessed January 17, 2011.

Miller D, Schor P, Magnante P. Optics of the normal eye. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier;2008:chap 2.6.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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