Which of the following is a common symptom of macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration, particularly age-related macular degeneration (AMD), primarily affects the central part of the retina known as the macula. This area is crucial for central vision, which is responsible for tasks such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. As the condition progresses, individuals often experience a gradual or sudden loss of central vision, leading to challenges in seeing fine details. This symptom is a hallmark of the disease, making it critical for diagnosis and management.

In contrast, flashes of light are generally associated with other conditions, such as retinal detachment or vitreous traction. Diminished peripheral vision is more characteristic of glaucoma or retinal problems rather than macular degeneration, which is primarily focused on the central vision. Eye pain is also not a common symptom related to macular degeneration; the condition usually does not cause pain, making central vision loss the correct and prominent symptom associated with the disease.