No one likes a bad night’s sleep. I bet you can’t think of a single person who couldn’t use a better night’s rest from time to time.
Research by the National Sleep Foundation indicates that, as people age, they begin having a harder time falling asleep and have more trouble staying asleep than when they were younger.
Across every aspect of sleep, seniors are more likely to have issues. Regardless if you’re talking about how long it takes to fall asleep, declines in REM or more waking up in the middle of the night.
The good news is that JAMA Ophthalmology recently published this study indicating that lens replacement for treating cataracts may improve sleep quality!
The study evaluated the role of light in regulating the body’s internal clock. The premise was that because cataracts cloud your visual field, they prevent light from assisting in your sleep cycle. Here’s what they found:
The people with replacement lenses spent more time in deep sleep and performed better on tests of cognition than the healthy age-matched group.
It’s Not Just About Sleep
The best news is that these sleep benefits aren’t just tied to the immediate benefits of the cataract replacement itself. Not only do lenses help your body to better regulate based on light, but they also offer peace of mind and the opportunity for greater physical activity.
With clear vision, it’s easier to see and appreciate the world around you, which can contribute to a general sense of well-being that makes sleep easier. But likely more important to sleep quality is exercise. Countless studies show moderate exercise improves sleep quality. And having healthy vision is really important to exercising more often.
Exercising with cataracts impacting your vision can be dangerous, but once quality vision is restored, we encourage our patients to get back to the healthy habits they used to have (or always meant to start.)
Dallas Can Rest Easy with Carter Eye Center
Every year, more than 2 million men and women undergo cataract surgery, making the procedure one of the most successful medical procedures in the US. And with an expert like Dr. Carter, you can be confident that you’re in the hands of one of the most experienced eye surgeons in all of DFW.
Carter Eye Center has a history of great success when it comes to cataract surgery, but even with all that success, we’re still proud of each and every happy patient.
To learn about how to be free of those annoying readers after cataract surgery AND take a step towards a better night’s rest, click here.
