Specialty Vision · Vision symptoms
Why do straight lines look wavy?
When straight edges — door frames, text, tiles — look bent, wavy or warped, it is called metamorphopsia.
What it looks like
Wavy distortion usually means the macula (the centre of the retina) is affected, most often by macular degeneration, diabetic macular swelling, or a membrane on the retina. The distortion comes from the light-sensing layer being lifted or wrinkled. New or worsening distortion is an important early warning sign and should be checked promptly, because the most treatable cause (wet macular degeneration) responds best to early treatment.
When to see an eye doctor
New or worsening wavy distortion should be checked promptly — urgently if it appears suddenly, because early treatment of wet macular degeneration protects vision.
Seek urgent care for:
- Straight lines suddenly looking wavy or bent
- A new blurred or blank spot in your central vision
- Rapidly worsening central distortion
Frequently asked questions
Are wavy lines serious?
They can be. Wavy distortion usually means a macular problem such as macular degeneration, and new distortion is an important warning sign — wet AMD is far more treatable when caught early.
How can I monitor for distortion?
An Amsler grid (a square grid with a central dot) used at home helps you notice new waviness or blank spots early — report any change to your eye doctor promptly.
Sources
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration — American Academy of Ophthalmology