Age-proof your eyes!

Think dry eyes and similar problems are an inevitable part of aging? Not so! These simple lifestyle tweaks can help protect your sight and dramatically reduce your risk of common age-related eye woes!

1 Nix dry eyes with olive oil! It’s true that our eyes get dryer as the years go by; computer and cellphone use only up the likelihood of the problem. To the rescue: extra-virgin olive oil! A University of Pennsylvania and National Eye Institute study reveals that consuming one tablespoon per day nourishes delicate eye tissues and helps keep them moist.

2 Prevent cataracts with shades! Sun exposure raises cataract risk by damaging cells in the retinas and the lenses that filter light. The fix? Sunglasses that provide 100% UVA and UVB protection, says Andrea P. Thau, O.D., past president of the American Optometric Association. Tip: Since 20% of the sun’s rays can “leak” through the sides of most sunglasses, choose wrap-around shades, say experts.

3 Avoid macular degeneration with peanuts! They’re full of vitamin E, which reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in adults, 20%, a recent study found. Vitamin E helps repair cellular damage that would otherwise lead to vision problems. Eating eye-healthy citrus, nuts, whole grains, dark leafy greens and fish and avoiding cigarette smoke cut the risk even more.

4 Prevent glaucoma by losing 10 pounds! Being significantly overweight ups your risk of glaucoma, an eye disease that damages the optic nerve. Luckily, losing just 10 pounds reduces the risk by enhancing blood flow to eyes and easing inflammation in their tissues. Having annual eye exams starting at age 40— even if your vision is perfect—helps, too.