What condition results from damage to the macula?

The condition that arises from damage to the macula is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The macula is a small area in the retina responsible for central vision, which is crucial for activities such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. When the macula deteriorates, as seen in AMD, it leads to a loss of sharp, central vision while peripheral vision may remain intact.

Age-related macular degeneration is primarily associated with aging and may be characterized by the presence of drusen (yellow deposits under the retina) and changes in the pigment of the macula. This degeneration can manifest as either "dry" (non-exudative) or "wet" (exudative) forms, with wet AMD generally leading to more severe vision loss.

Other conditions listed, such as retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma, affect different parts of the eye and lead to distinct symptoms. Retinal detachment primarily impacts the integrity of the retina as a whole; cataracts cloud the lens of the eye, affecting overall clarity of vision; and glaucoma involves increased intraocular pressure, potentially damaging the optic nerve. Each of these conditions has specific implications for vision but does not directly relate to damage of the macula in the same manner as