Final answer:
Drusen in the macula are indicative of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness due to the death of cells that support the macula.
Step-by-step explanation:
Drusen in the macula are a characteristic feature seen in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a common cause of blindness that occurs as a result of the death of retinal pigment epithelium cells which provide essential nutrients to the macula. As these cells die, the macula, a critical area for high visual acuity in the retina, also begins to degenerate, leading to vision loss and the appearance of a black spot in the central vision that can grow over time. This disease is the most common cause of blindness in the Western hemisphere, affecting millions of individuals globally. Despite research advances, such as the introduction of stem cell-derived therapies, there is currently no cure for AMD.