How often should you use an Amsler grid?
The short answer: as often as your eye doctor says. For most people with macular degeneration that is between once a day and once a week.
Updated November 13, 2026 · General information, not medical advice.
What the main organizations say
| Organization | Advice |
|---|---|
| American Academy of Ophthalmology | Once a day, every day |
| BrightFocus Foundation | At least once a week |
| Macular Society (UK) | Every week or so |
| Macular Disease Foundation Australia | Weekly over 50, daily with diagnosed macular degeneration |
| MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) | No more than once a week |
The advice was read on 13 November 2026. It differs because there is a trade-off. Checking every day catches a sudden change sooner. Checking less often makes a slow change easier to notice, because the difference since last time is larger.
A reasonable way to decide
- Your doctor gave you a schedule: follow it.
- You have macular degeneration or another macular condition and no schedule: check every day, or at least several times a week, and ask at your next visit.
- You are over 50 with no known eye disease: once a week or once a month is plenty. Regular eye exams matter more.
Whatever the schedule, test right away, in addition, if your vision seems different: straight things such as door frames look bent, words are missing letters, or faces are blurred.
Making it a habit
- Tie it to something you already do every day, such as morning coffee or brushing your teeth.
- Keep a printed grid where you will see it. The fridge door is the classic place.
- Set a reminder. The online test can add a daily or weekly reminder to your calendar.
- Keep a record. A saved result each time shows your doctor that you are testing and what you saw.
Studies of home monitoring find that many people stop testing after a few months. A check that happens most days is far more useful than a perfect schedule that is dropped.