As baby boomers mature en masse, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is on the rise. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among people 50 and older. It affects more than 10 million people in the United States, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. Fortunately, an ancient spice offers some protection. The macula is the small spot near the center of the retina. The eye needs it for central vision to see objects straight ahead. When the macula becomes damaged, it severely limits your ability to see things in your central line of vision. As age-related macular degeneration progresses, a blurred area develops near the center of your vision. In addition, objects may not appear as sharp or bright as they used to. Colors seem faded. That loss of central vision can interfere with daily activities such as recognizing faces, reading, driving, working, cooking, or watching TV. Besides age, …