Ask An Ophthalmologist: What Is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a common condition that causes the loss of central vision, which means that an object will be out of focus when you look directly at it. It’s called macular degeneration because it’s a deterioration of the macula, which is the small central portion of the retina that’s responsible for central vision. When the macula doesn’t work properly, your central vision appears blurry, darkened, or distorted. This can greatly affect activities like driving, reading, cooking, and other tasks that require you to focus on what’s in front of you. Macular degeneration does not affect your peripheral, or side, vision.
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