As we get older, our vision changes—we all know that. From cataracts to blurriness, we see this deterioration as inevitable.

But what we may not realize is that our lifestyle choices play a major role in preserving our vision, especially when it comes to age-related macular degeneration—a condition where an area of the retina called the macula becomes damaged.

According to the National Eye Institute, AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss in people ages 50 and older. In advanced cases, AMD can lead to blindness.

Age and a family history of the disease are the two major factors that come into play when determining whether someone will develop AMD.

And, while you can’t stop yourself from aging, and you can’t change your family’s health history, there are some things you can control that may help you fight off vision loss caused by AMD.

Smoking is one of the biggest contributors to AMD, according to Dr. Szilard Kiss, associate professor of ophthalmology and director of retina service at Weill Cornell Medical College.

“Smokers can have up to 10 times the risk of developing advanced macular degeneration depending on their background,” Kiss says.

“Quitting smoking is good for everything, including maintaining your eyesight.”

Kiss also touts the benefits of eating a low-fat, heart-healthy diet with a lot of green leafy vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids to help maintain healthy eyes.

“If it’s good for your heart, it’s good for the eyes,” Kiss says.

According to the Macular Degeneration Partnership, people who eat fish three times a week and eat a diet high in vegetables—especially of the dark, leafy green variety—and fruit have a lower incidence of AMD.

Kale, says MDP, is one of the best leafy greens you can eat, as one cup contains 26.5 milligrams of lutein, a nutrient that studies have shown can reduce the risk of chronic eye disease. Spinach comes in second place with 20.4 milligrams per cup.

MDP also recommends eating fruits and vegetables with bright colors, including red grapes, peppers, corn, oranges, cantaloupe and mango. Brightly colored vegetables and fruits contain high amounts of beta-carotene, which is good for eye health.