Macular Degeneration

Alternate Names : Central Retinal Degeneration

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Macular degeneration reduces vision in the center of the field of vision. It does not affect the eye's peripheral or side vision. This means a person will be able to see large objects well. For example, a person may be able to see the outline of a clock but may not be able to tell what time it is. Activities such as threading a needle or reading may become difficult or impossible.

People with macular degeneration may see objects as smaller or larger than they really are. For some people, the condition causes a dark or empty area in the center of the field of vision. For others, straight lines look distorted. Each eye may see a shape or color differently.