Retina and AMD · Between visits
AMD Home Monitoring catching conversion between office visits.
Wet AMD can develop between scheduled visits, and the NEI calls wavy straight lines a warning sign. Home monitoring ranges from a paper Amsler grid to prescribed digital devices that alert the doctor. This guide compares the options and how they fit a primary care workflow.
Quick answer
Match the tool to the patient's stage.
Every AMD patient should know the warning signs and how to self-check. Patients with intermediate dry AMD at risk of conversion may qualify for ForeseeHome, an FDA-cleared device the maker says is covered by Medicare for that group. Patients already treated for wet AMD may be prescribed SCANLY Home OCT by their ophthalmologist.
Key takeaways
- The Amsler grid is free and simple, but it depends on the patient noticing change.
- ForeseeHome uses preferential hyperacuity perimetry to detect metamorphopsia.
- Notal Vision says the ForeseeHome technical component is covered by Medicare for at-risk dry AMD.
- SCANLY Home OCT received FDA De Novo authorization in May 2024 for wet AMD patients.
- A monitoring center handles enrollment, benefits checks and patient support for both devices.
Three levels of home monitoring.
From free self-checks to prescribed remote monitoring programs.
Amsler grid
A printed grid patients check one eye at a time for wavy, blurred or missing areas.
ForeseeHome
FDA-cleared device that detects central and paracentral metamorphopsia as an aid to monitoring AMD progression.
SCANLY Home OCT
Patient-operated OCT with daily scans sent to the cloud for analysis of retinal fluid, prescribed by ophthalmologists.
How alerts work
Both programs compare tests to the patient's own baseline and notify the physician when significant change appears.
Monitoring center
Notal Vision's center handles enrollment, insurance verification, phone support and compliance reminders.
Coverage
Notal Vision states ForeseeHome is covered by Medicare and most private insurance; some commercial plans treat the codes as investigational.
Who gets which tool.
A simple sorting rule for your AMD list.
| Patient | Home monitoring | Office follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| Early AMD | Amsler grid and symptom education | Routine exams |
| Intermediate AMD in either eye | Consider ForeseeHome; AREDS2 formula | Regular OCT and dilated exams |
| Late AMD in one eye | Fellow-eye monitoring with Amsler or ForeseeHome | Closer follow-up of the fellow eye |
| Wet AMD under treatment | SCANLY Home OCT if prescribed by retina | Injection visits at the retina practice |
A home device only helps if the patient uses it. Enroll patients at the visit, have staff confirm the first test is completed, and review adherence at every follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
What is preferential hyperacuity perimetry?
A Notal Vision technology that measures hyperacuity, the ability to detect tiny misalignments, to pick up small distortions in central vision.
Who can order ForeseeHome?
An eye care physician prescribes it. Notal Vision describes it as an addition to regular eye exams for patients with dry AMD at risk of wet AMD.
Is SCANLY for dry AMD patients?
No. It was authorized for monitoring patients with wet AMD, prescribed by ophthalmologists.
Does home monitoring replace office visits?
No. Both makers present their programs as additions to regular eye exams.
Is the Amsler grid still useful?
Yes. The NEI lists wavy lines as a warning sign, and the grid is a free way to teach patients to check.
Are the home monitoring codes covered everywhere?
No. Coverage differs by payer, and some commercial policies list the related codes as investigational. Verify before enrolling.
References
- Notal Vision. ForeseeHome AMD Monitoring Program. Notal Vision
- Notal Vision. FDA grants SCANLY Home OCT De Novo marketing authorization. May 16, 2024. Press release
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Medical policy on home monitoring codes 0378T and 0379T. BCBSM
- National Eye Institute. Age-related macular degeneration. NEI
- Every source used across these guides is listed on the Vision Rescue sources page.
About this guide
Written for licensed eye care practices by the Vision Rescue team. Questions: providers@visionrescue.com or 1-855-692-8024.
Important notes and disclosures
Information only, not clinical or legal advice. Product names are trademarks of their owners and appear for identification; Vision Rescue does not endorse or review them. Scope of practice, coverage and coding rules vary by state and payer, so confirm locally. Clinical decisions rest with the treating eye doctor.
Give every AMD patient a way to check.
Teach the Amsler grid to everyone, enroll at-risk patients in a monitored program, and keep their AREDS2 formula on auto-ship.