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What is Metamorphopsia?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Metamorphopsia is a visual defect that causes people to see objects in a distorted manner. When an individual has metamorphopsia, he typically sees lines as wavy or curly instead of straight and flat surfaces as curved. For example, an individual with this condition may look at a telephone pole and see it as curvy or see a bunch of trees as if they form a rounded group. Sometimes telephone poles and trees look as if they are bending over rather than standing up straight.

Sometimes a person develops metamorphopsia as one of the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration. This condition typically affects individuals who are at least 50 years old, causing loss of vision in the center of the affected person’s retina, which is tissue that lines the back of the eye. This part of the eye is called the macula, and loss of vision in this area is often the result of retinal damage. When an individual has macular degeneration, faces appear blurred, printed words are difficult to recognize, and other visual distortions may occur.

A person may develop metamorphopsia as one of the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration.
A person may develop metamorphopsia as one of the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration.

Metamorphopsia may also occur as the result of retinal detachment. This is a condition in which a person’s retina moves away from the eye structures that support it. As a result, the individual stops seeing things normally. Retinal detachment may occur because of injury to the affected eye and sometimes even head trauma. It may occur as a complication of eye surgery or develop in people who have eye diseases. This condition may even affect individuals who have no other illness but are extremely nearsighted.

People who have migraines may experience symptoms of metamorphopsia.
People who have migraines may experience symptoms of metamorphopsia.

In some cases, individuals who have migraines report symptoms of this condition. A migraine is a severe headache that begins when blood vessels in the brain become enlarged and stimulate the release of chemicals in the brain. Migraine headaches are usually very painful and are often accompanied by visual disturbances, upset stomach, diarrhea, and light sensitivity. These symptoms are temporary, though some people do experience frequent migraines.

Metamorphopsia is a visual defect.
Metamorphopsia is a visual defect.

An individual with macular holes or tears often experiences metamorphopsia as well as blurriness and difficulty reading. A macular hole or tear is a type of damage to the macula that is more common in people who are over the age of 60. There are many things that can contribute to the development of holes and tears in the macula. They include retinal detachment, complications of diabetes, extremely severe nearsightedness, eye injuries, and certain eye diseases.

Treatment may depend on what has caused it and usually entails resolving the underlying condition. It’s important to see an ophthalmologist as soon as visual changes are noticed. Some conditions can progress to blindness if left untreated.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon941926

I have recently had an operation to repair a detached retina and as a result, I have metamorphopsia. This is due to fluid leaking behind the retina and causing a retinal fold.

Although I was told initially that there is no medical reason (while they looked into my eye) for the distortion, after a visit to the eye imaging dept and having a scan a fold was shown. I have heard about a case in which after six months post op, the fold corrected itself. However, in my case, I had a second op to correct, but have exactly the same symptoms but now I'm being told that the scan isn't showing a fold?

anon239874

From my own symptoms and what I have read elsewhere, macular edema (swelling) is a main culprit for distorted vision and can sometimes be treated with prednisone type of drugs for the eye.

anon133618

i finally found out what i had - metamorphopsia. after surgery to repair a torn retina in july 2009, i have had distorted vision in the affected eye. none of my three doctors could explain why things were crooked, shrunken, and basically out of whack in that eye. i keep thinking that maybe there's a wrinkle in that retinal area/eye wall and just by tugging on it a little bit -- problem solved. wishful thinking. thanks for this article though.

I've been looking for some kind of answer and now that i know what the condition is called. I guess it is what it is.

anon119166

the article is helpful with respect to some background but fails to suggest appropriate actions or the consequences of ignoring the effect.

anon86180

There is no discussion of treatments although the title implies there is one.

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    • A person may develop metamorphopsia as one of the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration.
      By: jamstockfoto
      A person may develop metamorphopsia as one of the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration.
    • People who have migraines may experience symptoms of metamorphopsia.
      By: elavuk81
      People who have migraines may experience symptoms of metamorphopsia.
    • Metamorphopsia is a visual defect.
      By: Pavel Losevsky
      Metamorphopsia is a visual defect.
    • The anatomy of the human eye includes the cornea, retina, lens, pupil, optic nerve, and more.
      By: blueringmedia
      The anatomy of the human eye includes the cornea, retina, lens, pupil, optic nerve, and more.