Consuming a healthy diet can help to prevent the biggest cause of registered blindness in Ireland.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects central vision, making it blurry. Central vision is necessary for everyday activities such as reading, driving and watching television. Straight lines, such as door frames and steps, may also appear wavy.

Around 65,000 Irish people are affected and while progression of the condition can, in some cases, be slowed down, it is irreversible.

Vision loss can have a huge emotional and practical impact on a person and affect their ability to live independently. However, the National Council for the Blind (NCBI), Fighting Blindness, the Irish College of Ophthalmologists (ICO) and the Association of Optometrists Ireland (AOI) are working together to increase public awareness of AMD, including the fact that diet can play an important role.

"Age is the main cause of AMD but there are other risk factors that can be reduced if we make clever lifestyle choices. Giving up smoking is one and ensuring a healthy diet has also been proven to help prevent the onset of AMD.

"Foods like spinach, avocados and broccoli are rich in vitamins and nutrients that can help keep our eyes healthy and reduce the risk of developing blindness," explained Mark Cahill, a consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin.

As we age, the pigmentation in our eyes decreases, but natural chemicals found in foods can slow this process and even replenish lost pigmentation.

For example, lutein, which is an important nutrient for eyes, can be found in a range of foods such as avocado, broccoli and eggs. In fact, avocados are one of the most nutrient dense foods that exist. They contain more lutein than any other fruit, which is important in the prevention of macular degeneration and cataracts. They are also a great source of other important eye nutrients, such as vitamin A, C, B6 and E.

Meanwhile AMD awareness week will take place from September 20 to 26. The aim of this event is to promote early detection of the signs of the condition. Throughout the week, free testing will be available to detect the early signs of AMD at a range of locations nationwide.

For more information on AMD and to download a booklet full of relevant recipes, click here. These recipes include sweet potato burritos, banana and walnut bread, spinach and gruyere omelette, carrot and raisin muffins and strawberry lemonade.

People are also advised that the following 10 foods are particularly important for maintaining good eye health - avocados, broccoli, carrots, eggs, spinach, kale, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, garlic and salmon.