What is the most common symptom in age-related macular degeneration?

The most common symptom of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is loss of or decreased central vision. AMD primarily affects the macula, which is the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision needed for activities such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces.

As the condition progresses, individuals often notice a distortion or blurriness in their central field of vision, making it particularly difficult to see fine details. This occurs because the damage happens to the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors in the macula, leading to the characteristic symptoms associated with the disease.

The other symptoms listed, such as tunnel vision, color blindness, and night blindness, are not typical presentations of AMD. Tunnel vision usually relates to peripheral vision loss, color blindness is a genetic condition affecting color perception unrelated to AMD, and night blindness is typically associated with other retinal conditions. Thus, decreased central vision aligns directly with the pathology of age-related macular degeneration, making it the correct answer.