Damage to the fovea of the eye?

Question

would interfere with the ability to do what?

Answer 1

The fovea a a pinpoint in the macula where the sharpest vision occurs.  You would lose your central vision and have difficulty:

Reading signs

Recognizing faces

Sewing

You get the idea.  I have damage to both my eyes.  I still see color, but most of my vision is peripheral.

Answer 2

It would interfere with our ability to see colour, and our ability to focus.

The fovea contains nearly all the cones in our retina, and it is the place where direct light focuses.