Final answer:
Routine vision tests, including visual acuity testing with a Snellen chart, visual field testing, and inspection of the optic disk with an ophthalmoscope, are commonly utilized to identify symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can lead to blindness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The test usually used to screen for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common cause of blindness, is not mentioned directly in the provided information. However, vision tests conducted in an optometry office are referenced, including the use of the Snellen chart for measuring visual acuity, tests for visual field extent, and physical inspection of the optic disk using an ophthalmoscope. These tests can help identify changes in vision related to AMD. An emerging treatment trial for severe AMD involved implanting lab-grown retinal pigmented epithelial cells, offering potential hope for remediation of vision loss, similar to the established correction methods for other vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, which are successfully treated using LASIK surgery.