Distorted Vision — Straight Lines Appear Bent or Wavy
This Symptom Requires Prompt Assessment
New distortion, particularly developing over days or perhaps weeks, may be a sign of wet macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, or diabetic macular oedema. Prompt treatment can make a critical difference — delay significantly reduces the likelihood of a good outcome.
Call (02) 8544 0719 — assessment within days, not weeks.
What Distorted Vision Looks Like
Distortion of vision — where straight lines appear bent, wavy, or uneven — is one of the most important visual symptoms to take seriously. It is not the same as blurred vision. Rather than everything appearing uniformly hazy, distortion causes a warping or bending of what should be straight lines and regular shapes.
Distortion is often noticed in everyday situations — bathroom tiles, a fence line, the edge of a door frame, or the railing on a balcony that suddenly looks wavy when viewed from one eye. If something that should be straight no longer looks straight, that is distortion. It can also be associated with a dull grey smudge in the central vision.
Because both eyes are usually open, the unaffected eye can compensate for the other — which means distortion in one eye is often not noticed until it is tested separately. This is why many patients present later than they might otherwise.
What Causes Distorted Vision?
Distortion usually indicates a problem at the macula — the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision. There are several possible causes, including wet macular degeneration, epiretinal membrane, and macular oedema from conditions such as retinal vein occlusion or diabetic eye disease. Some are urgent, others less so — but all warrant assessment to determine the cause and whether treatment is needed.
The Amsler Grid — A Simple Self-Check
The Amsler grid is a formal way of testing each eye individually with reading glasses on. It is frequently used to detect new distortion in the macula due to macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, or diabetic macular oedema. There is often a smudge or area of grey vision in the area that is distorted.
Even if the Amsler grid looks normal, any concern about your vision should prompt you to arrange assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions — Distorted Vision
How urgent is distortion?
If distortion is new — you should be seen within days. Call the rooms and let us know that you have new distortion. We will prioritise your appointment accordingly.
Can glasses cause distortion?
Glasses can occasionally cause minor optical distortion, particularly at the edges of progressive lenses. However, distortion of straight lines in your central vision — particularly if it has changed recently — is unlikely to be caused by your glasses and should be assessed.
I have dry macular degeneration — does distortion mean it has changed?
Possibly. New distortion in a patient with known dry AMD may indicate conversion to the wet form, which requires prompt assessment and, if confirmed, treatment. Do not assume that new symptoms are simply part of the existing dry AMD.
Can distortion be treated?
It depends on the cause. Wet macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema, and retinal vein occlusion can be treated with intravitreal injections, which can stabilise and in some cases improve distortion if started promptly. Epiretinal membrane may be managed with observation or, in selected cases, surgery. The most important factor in any of these conditions is early assessment.
Blurred vision — causes and when to seek care → Sudden vision loss — urgent assessment →