Final answer:
AMD is the principal cause of blindness, characterized by the degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium and subsequent damage to the macula. While AMD directly causes vision loss rather than hallucinations, some with severe vision impairment may experience Charles Bonnet syndrome, which can include visual hallucinations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is widely recognized as the leading cause of blindness in the Western hemisphere. This ocular condition affects around 15 million individuals in the United States and approximately 30 million people globally. The onset of AMD involves the loss of a critical layer of cells known as the retinal pigment epithelium, which supports and nurtures the macula. The macula, a pigmented region located near the retina's center, is integral for high visual acuity due to its high concentration of cones.
As AMD progresses, the retinal pigment epithelium deteriorates, leading to subsequent macula damage. Patients typically report a central visual black spot which expands over time, ultimately resulting in significant loss of vision.
Although macular degeneration primarily leads to vision loss, it does not directly cause hallucinations in the way that schizophrenia or neurological diseases might. However, some individuals with severe vision loss from various causes may experience a phenomenon known as Charles Bonnet syndrome, where visual hallucinations occur due to the brain's response to significant vision loss.