The present invention is directed to the use of (a composition comprising) hydroxytyrosol for treating or preventing age-related macular degeneration in humans, for maintaining the eye health in animals (preferably in humans), especially in elderly animals (preferably elderly humans), for improving the vision of animals (preferably of humans), for maintaining the high resolution vision in animals (preferably in humans) and/or for maintaining the visual acuity in animals (preferably in humans), as well as for maintaining the visual performance in animals (preferably in humans) and/or the visual function in animals (preferably in humans).