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.