Macular degeneration is a severe eye condition that affects the retina and causes impaired vision. About half of all cases of macular degeneration are caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness among people 55 and older.
This disease can develop slowly or rapidly depending on the type of macular degeneration. For instance, it can take years for the disease to progress in some cases and a few months in others. The most common symptom of macular degeneration is a blurry or distorted vision in one or both eyes. Other symptoms include dark spots, yellowing, and distortion in the field of vision.
Macular degeneration can also lead to blindness as it progresses if left untreated. To help identify this condition, here are the most common symptoms of macular degeneration:
Reduction in the Central Vision
People have reduced central vision when they can’t see details or read, even though their peripheral vision is still good. The central vision is used to see the world around them. It’s like looking through binoculars and seeing both sides of everything at once.
Central vision relies on healthy macula cells and blood flow from the choroid, which are damaged in many people with macular degeneration (MD). The macula cells provide most of our detailed central vision and help us read, drive, watch TV and play sports.
When MD damages these two areas—macula cells and blood flow from the choroid—a person loses focused central vision that allows them to see fine details up close (for example, reading). They may also lose color perception because this part of their eye processes color images before sending them to the brain for interpretation.
