Bent or kinked lines in vision are another description of metamorphopsia. They most often arise from macular disturbance.
Underlying Issues
Conditions such as epiretinal membrane, macular hole, oedema from diabetic retinopathy, and age‑related macular degeneration can cause bending of straight objects. Structural changes alter how the retina samples the image.
- Letters on a page may appear uneven or jumbled
- Faces and objects can seem warped or disproportionate
- Monocular testing typically reveals more pronounced bending
- OCT helps identify the specific macular lesion
Clinical Importance
Any new perception of bent lines warrants specialist assessment. Many of the underlying macular conditions are treatable, especially when detected early.
- Patients at risk of macular disease should monitor regularly with an Amsler grid
- Therapy may stabilise or partially reverse distortion
- Coexistent cataract or refractive error should also be addressed
- Rehabilitation focuses on optimising remaining vision when distortion persists
