Amsler Grid test? How long?

[SidneyNever]

Hi!

I'm curious as to how long I need to look at the Amsler grid with each eye. RIght now I cover one eye, position it about 14 inches away, stare at the center and nothing changes. Then I continue to stare, and stare, and stare, and stare, and sometimes after a lot of staring and not blinking (at least 45 seconds to a minutes worth) I start to see a light static pattern (like a circle forming from all sides around the center dot) come over the grid. As soon as I open both eyes it resolves. Happens in both eyes, only sometimes, only after prolonged staring. Is this normal when staring at an abnormal pattern for so long? I don't see anything like what the "positive test" examples show - no blind spots, no distorted lines, nothing. How long should I be looking to get an accurate measure? If there's a problem, it should show up pretty quick, no?

Any eye doctors able to weigh in?

[regula22]

"How do I use the Amsler Grid?
You should wear your reading glasses (if you use these), cover your left eye and view the grid at your usual reading distance. Stare directly at the center dot with your right eye for a few seconds. Repeat this for your other eye. If any lines appear missing or crooked/wavy, or if dark spots are visible on the grid, this could be a sign of a problem. You do not need to look at the grid more than once per day, and don’t need to stare at it for more than 5-10 seconds with each eye. The grid is most useful if looked at once each day, to compare the appearance of the grid day-to-day. If there is a sudden change in the appearance of the grid from one day to the next, call your retinal specialist or eye doctor right away."

http://www.vitreo-retinal.com/patient-resources/amsler-grid

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[SidneyNever]

Thank you very much! You've been a great help.