Distorted Vision (Metamorphopsia)

What is it?

Visual illusion that objects appear warped because their borders are curved or bent
When monocular, usually results from displacement of foveal cone photoreceptors by hemorrhage, edema, or scarring
Major causes are age-related macular degeneration, central serous chorioretinopathy, epiretinal membrane formation, retinal detachment, ocular trauma or inflammation
When binocular and persistent, consider abnormal processing in visual cortex in stroke or other lesions
When binocular and transient, consider transient ischemic attack, migraine, or occipital seizure

Viewed objects have curved borders
In retinal lesions, viewed objects may appear relatively small ("micropsia") or large ("macropsia") in affected eye
In visual cortex lesions, viewed objects may have grotesque distortions ("looks like a Picasso painting")

New glasses that correct for previously uncorrected astigmatism can give a similar illusion
Scotomas (blank or dark areas in field of vision) can make vision appear so disturbed that patients report it as distorted

Many retinal and brain causes are treatable and some require immediate intervention
Outcomes vary depending on cause of this visual illusion