Adam Robison | Buy at photos.djournal.comMacular degeneration causes loss of central vision that is used for seeing fine details, like faces and printed words. For people with the condition, central vision becomes blurry and distorted. Adam Robison | Buy at photos.djournal.comFor people with normal vision, the clock face is clear. By Michaela Gibson Morris Daily Journal The macula is small, but mighty. With a diameter less than a quarter of an inch, it is the part of the retina responsible for the sharp, central vision that allows us to read and see colors.