Loss of Central Vision

Macular Degeneration is one of the most common causes of low vision in the elderly population. It can however affect younger people in the form of Stargardt's, Best's Disease, Inverse RP, etc. With the progression of the disease, the light-sensitive nerve cells located in the macula, at the very centre of the retina, begin to degenerate. Our tiny macula (approximately 5% of the retinal area) allows us to see clearly and is essential to our vision. Individuals with Macular Degeneration have extreme difficulty reading and recognising faces. Shapes or contours of objects may seem distorted, yet enough peripheral vision is retained for good orientation and mobility.

Normal Vision
When looking at the menu, an individual with Macular Degeneration sees only a blurry white area. The surroundings, although somewhat unclear, are recognizable.

Blind spot in the centre of vision when looking at the menu
When the view shifts to the waitress's face, it is impossible to distinguish her features, but you can see that the menu is printed.

Blind spot in the centre of vision when looking at the waitress