What is a key characteristic of macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is primarily characterized by vision loss in the center of the visual field. This condition affects the macula, which is the part of the retina responsible for central vision. As macular degeneration progresses, individuals may experience a blurring of their central vision, difficulties with tasks that require detailed sight such as reading and recognizing faces, and in severe cases, complete loss of central vision.

The hallmark feature of this condition is that while peripheral vision generally remains intact, the central vision becomes increasingly affected, leading to significant challenges in daily activities. This focal loss of vision can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, as the center of the visual field is crucial for many functional tasks.

The other choices describe different eye conditions or visual symptoms not associated with macular degeneration. For instance, cloudy lenses pertain to cataracts, increased peripheral vision can suggest other retinal conditions, and painful eye movements are often related to entirely different ocular issues. Thus, the selection of vision loss in the center of the visual field accurately reflects the core characteristic of macular degeneration.