Which eye condition involves the loss of central vision?

Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss, particularly in older adults, and specifically affects the central part of the retina called the macula. The macula is responsible for sharp, central vision which is essential for activities like reading, driving, and recognizing faces. As macular degeneration progresses, individuals may experience blurred or weakened vision in this central area, leading to a significant impact on their quality of life as they struggle with tasks that require fine detail.

In this context, retinitis pigmentosa primarily affects peripheral vision and is characterized by a gradual loss of night vision and side vision, not central vision. Cataract formation generally causes clouding of the lens of the eye, leading to blurred vision but does not specifically target the central vision. Astigmatism is caused by an irregular shape of the cornea or lens, which leads to blurred vision at all distances, rather than a specific loss of central vision. Thus, macular degeneration is the only condition listed that directly leads to the loss of central vision.