There’s growing evidence that eating the right stuff — vitamins, some polyphenols and the right omega-3s (DHA) — can protect your peepers from age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. And, yes, it’s a top cause of age-related blindness.

Nibble a salad every day filled with brightly colored fruits and vegetables. They’re rich in a group of sight-saving nutrients called carotinoids, which include beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin.

Help yourself to a fistful of nuts, especially walnuts, every day. They contain omega-3s and copper; both reduce your AMD risk. In addition, grab 900 milligrams of DHA from algae in a supplement. Your retina, where AMD occurs, has some protective structural fat, more than half of which is healthy DHA fat.

Taking a vitamin B combo (folic acid, B-6 and B-12) can reduce AMD by as much as 40 percent, according to a study of women over 40.

That’s J, as in jogging. In one study, people who ran a little over a mile a day reduced their risks of this sight-stealer by 36 percent. Just wear sunglasses while you’re legging it. Excess sun is linked to AMD.

Health tip of the week:

If you’re a breast-feeding mom — or her partner, parent, in-law or helper — you almost certainly know all about the big-time angst a cute little pink or blue pacifier can stir up. Breast-feeding advocates often warn new moms that infants who use ‘em could have trouble “latching on” to nipples or might stop nursing sooner, or that binky use might reduce mom’s milk supply.

But if you’ve ever tried soothing a screaming but well-fed infant, that pacifier starts looking mighty tempting. Forget the guilt, and go right ahead. We’ve now seen solid proof that it’s OK to give a binky to breast-fed babies once you’ve established a solid nursing routine. That usually takes just two weeks or so (ask your doctor if you’re not sure). Using a pacifier between feedings won’t upset the supply and demand (your milk and your baby’s interest). Yes, it’s fine at 4 a.m., too. This all-clear is based on the experiences of 1,302 nursing moms and babies who were followed closely for three to four months. Pacifiers simply didn’t lead to early weaning or cause breast-feeding complications.

One more thing, and it’s the best part: It’s been known for a while that babies who fall asleep sucking on a pacifier are at lower risk for sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS. Now there’s zero reason to think twice about tucking them in for a nap or the night with a binky. In fact, make sure you do.

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