Many routine tasks depend on good eyesight, whether it's choosing clothes to wear, preparing a meal, driving a car or searching the Internet. These tasks help maintain your well-being and quality of life. So, keeping your eyes healthy and preserving your vision are critical lifetime investments.

Dangers to vision include common conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts. Many eye injuries occur each year, some of which cause permanent vision loss. More than 170 million Americans wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to help them see better —and spend billions of dollar annually on eyewear. Despite these measures, more than 12 million people older than age 40 are visually impaired.

Mayo Clinic Guide to Better Vision is written in a clear, conversational style, supported by illustrations, photographs, and tables. It is a practical resource for making the most of your vision: keeping your eyes healthy and your eyesight sharp at any age.