Intermediate
Technical
IVT
metamorphopsia
Pronunciation: met-ah-mor-FOP-see-ah
Visual distortion where straight lines appear wavy, bent, or irregular.
Full Definition
Metamorphopsia is a type of visual distortion characterized by the perception of straight lines as wavy, bent, or irregularly shaped. This symptom typically results from disruption of the normal retinal architecture, particularly affecting the macula, but can also occur with cortical lesions. Common causes include macular degeneration, central serous retinopathy, epiretinal membranes, and macular edema. Patients often notice the distortion when looking at grid patterns, text, or architectural features, and it can significantly impact reading and daily activities.
Usage
Usage note: Often the first symptom patients notice with macular disease.
In Context
- "The patient reported metamorphopsia when viewing the Amsler grid, suggesting macular pathology." — Retinal examination
- "Metamorphopsia resolved following treatment of the macular edema." — Follow-up assessment
Also known as
visual distortion
shape distortion
Contrasted with
normal vision
undistorted vision
Don't confuse with
macropsia
micropsia
diplopia