Doctor Bui Viet Hung, Head of the Vitreoretinal Department at the High-Tech Eye Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, states that the macula is located at the center of the retina. It plays a crucial role in seeing fine details, reading, recognizing faces, and distinguishing colors.

Macular degeneration is common in older adults, often mistaken for natural aging, leading many to overlook its severity. Early detection is vital for disease management and long-term vision preservation. Doctor Hung highlights common signs of macular degeneration:

Central blurred vision

Individuals with macular degeneration may still see clearly peripherally, but the central vision becomes progressively blurred, making images directly in front of them indistinct. This symptom tends to be more noticeable when reading, using a phone, working on a computer, or driving.

Difficulty reading small print

As central vision declines, small details become difficult to discern, affecting daily activities. Patients need to hold books, newspapers, or phones further away to see text clearly and require brighter light for reading. Unlike presbyopia, changing glasses typically does not significantly improve this condition. Many patients only notice an issue when reading becomes increasingly challenging.

Doctor Hung examines a woman's eyes. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

Distorted vision

According to Doctor Hung, if objects such as door frames, table edges, lines, or text appear bent or broken, it indicates image distortion in the macular region. Macular degeneration does not cause noticeable pain or discomfort, so patients often ignore it or only detect it when the condition has advanced.

Difficulty recognizing faces

Macular degeneration causes patients to struggle with recognizing facial expressions. This is particularly evident when standing far away or in low-light conditions. This sign appears when central vision has been significantly impacted by macular degeneration.

Faded colors, reduced contrast

Patients may notice colors are less vibrant than before, and images appear faded or grayish. The ability to distinguish shades and color contrast diminishes over time, making it difficult to read text, view images, or observe objects in low light. This indicates declining color perception function of the macula.

Appearance of blind spots or dark spots in central vision

Some individuals may notice a blurred area, dark spot, or blank space appearing directly in the center of their vision when looking straight ahead. Initially, this area is small and transient but tends to expand over time. As the blind spot grows, patients experience significant difficulty with activities such as reading, driving, or watching television.

Khue Lam