National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) DOT Practice Exam

What is an expected finding in a patient with macular degeneration?

1. Increased peripheral vision

2. Blurred central vision

3. Sudden loss of side vision

4. Night blindness

The correct answer is: Blurred central vision

In patients with macular degeneration, blurred central vision is a hallmark symptom. This condition primarily affects the macula, which is the part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed central vision. As macular degeneration progresses, the ability to see fine details becomes impaired, leading to the distortion or blurring of images directly in the line of sight. Patients may notice that reading, recognizing faces, or any activity requiring fine visual detail becomes increasingly challenging. The other options represent visual impairments associated with different conditions. For instance, increased peripheral vision is not characteristic of macular degeneration; in fact, peripheral vision often remains intact while central vision deteriorates. Sudden loss of side vision is more indicative of other issues, such as glaucoma, and night blindness is typically associated with retinitis pigmentosa or vitamin A deficiency, not macular degeneration. Thus, blurred central vision accurately reflects the primary concern in macular degeneration.