Metamorphopsia testing and related methods

Abstract

A visual distortion test is disclosed using a sequence of binary interactions with a mobile device, in which segments of the grid having no distortions are eliminated, and the segments with distortions are divided into smaller segments for further analysis. The test can quantify the visual distortion using a decreased number of steps, compared to sequential analysis of all the segments of the grid. The binary interaction or input to the mobile device is also easier for patients than graphic interactions with a conventional Amsler Grid. Early detection of changes in the visual distortion can enable the healthcare provider to individualize treatment, helping to prevent vision loss while minimizing visits to the office, discomfort, and expense.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of testing visual distortions, the method comprising:
 a. displaying a fixation point and a series of straight lines on a test area on a hand held computer device;   b. receiving a positive or negative input from a user indicating the presence or absence of distortion on the displayed series of straight lines on the test area;   c. removing any portions of the series of straight lines from the test area for which a negative input was received;   d. dividing a remaining positive test area into a plurality of segments;   e. sequentially displaying a fixation point and each of the plurality of segments on the hand held computer device; and repeating steps a-d until the segments of a predetermined minimum size are analyzed.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the series of straight lines includes an Amsler grid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hand held computer device is a mobile phone. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the input includes an auditory input or touching a discrete portion of the screen of the hand held computer device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method of testing distortions is designed to test for metamorphopsia. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein dividing the remaining positive test area includes dividing the remaining positive test area by a factor of 2 or greater. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repeating steps a-d until the visual distortion test area has been quantified with a desired level of precision to generate a visual distortion test result for the user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising transmitting the visual distortion test results to a remote server. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising analyzing the visual distortion test results to determine a prediction of when further medical treatment is needed for the user. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the series of straight lines includes moving horizontal and/or vertical lines. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising customizing the series of straight lines first presented to the user based on the user's previous visual distortion test results. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positive or negative input for presence or absence of distortion does not include touching a distorted area on the display. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising preparing a resulting map of distortions from the visual distortion test results with segments of the predetermined minimum size. 
     
     
         14 . A method of testing visual distortions, the method comprising:
 a. displaying a fixation point and an Amsler Grid on a hand held computer device;   b. receiving a positive or negative input from a user indicating the presence or absence of distortion on a displayed test grid area;   c. removing any portions of the displayed test grid area for which a negative input was received to determine a remaining positive test area;   d. dividing the remaining positive test area into a plurality of segments;   e. sequentially displaying a fixation point and each of the plurality of segments on the hand held computer device; and repeating steps a-d until the segments of a predetermined minimum size are analyzed.