See Better, Longer

If you want to see clearly for years to come, then eat your veggies, quit smoking, and wear your sunglasses year round.

An eye condition that can lead to blindness is increasing as baby boomers age. It may help guard against this sight-stealer -- called age-related macular degeneration -- if you choose glasses that filter 99-100 percent of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. And that goes for all specs, not just your sunglasses.

Whether you're buying regular glasses or the latest in cool shades, be sure the lenses block harmful rays. Many prescription lenses now come with built-in protection, but if not, anti-UV coatings are available. Your optometrist or optician can guide you and also may be able to do a quick test to see if your current eyewear is UV-proof.

What's on your plate can also help your vision. Make a habit of eating fruits and veggies rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. Corn and dark, leafy greens are good sources. Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc have been shown to protect eye health, too.

Finally, if you still smoke, this might help you quit: Lighting up more than 20 cigarettes a day doubles the risk of macular degeneration. Here are some quit-smoking tips.