The macula is a small, central area of the retina at the back of the eye that allows us to see fine details clearly. When the macular doesn't function correctly, you experience blurriness or distortion in the center of your vision. Macular degeneration makes reading difficult or impossible. Although macular degeneration reduces the vision in the central part of the retina, it does not affect the eye's side vision. Macular degeneration is caused by aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula.
Vision loss is gradual.
Sometimes abnormal blood vessels develop and leak blood or fluid underneath the macula. Vision loss will then be rapid. Colors look dim. In some cases of leaking blood vessels, laser surgery may slow down vision loss. Various low vision optical devices can help people continue with many of their normal activities.