The National Eye Institute estimates that in the years between 2010 and 2050, the number of individuals affected by the most common eye disease –including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma –“will double.” Here are a few tips to protect your eyes.

Go for regular eye exams
The best thing you can do to look after your sight is to go for regular eye tests. Although your vision may appear to be healthy, there is no way to be 100 percent certain unless a trained professional observes your eyes. Not only does an eye test determine whether or not you need glasses, but it can also spot eye conditions that can be treated effectively if detected early enough.

Eat vision-healthy foods
It is possible to eat your way to healthy vision. You often hear that eating carrots benefits the eyes, but there are plenty of other foods that are important for good eyesight, too. Consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been shown to promote eye health. Dark leafy greens, in particular — including collard greens, kale, and spinach — contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which are antioxidants that help to prevent the formation of cataracts.

Keep your weight under control
Being overweight or obese puts you at a higher risk of developing conditions such as diabetes or other systemic disorders, which may eventually lead to vision loss. Research conducted by the University of Melbourne in Australia and Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom discovered that considerable weight loss could potentially reverse eye damage caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.