Sleep Problems & Glaucoma

A study of more than 6,700 people in the United States over age 40 who were previously diagnosed with glaucoma based on their optic nerve damage and visual field loss, responded to a survey about their sleep that revealed possible connections between glaucoma and sleep problems. Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. Damage to this nerve-which is responsible for sending signals from the eye to the brain so you can see-often goes unnoticed until an eye exam reveals the nerve damage and related vision loss caused by glaucoma.

Patients were asked and responded to questions about a) amount of time slept, b) difficulties falling asleep, c) sleep disturbances specifically waking up during sleep, d) having diagnosed sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, e) use of sleep medication and f) problems with sleepiness during the day. The results revealed the following interesting information:

• People who slept for 10 or more hours a night were three times more likely to have glaucoma-related optic nerve damage than those who slept 7 hours a night.
• People who fell asleep in 9 minutes or less, or those who needed 30 minutes or more to fall asleep, were twice as likely to have glaucoma than those who took 10-29 minutes to fall asleep.
• The odds of having missing vision were three times higher among people who got 3 or fewer or 10 or more hours of sleep per night, compared with those who got 7 hours a night.
• People who said they had trouble remembering things because of daytime sleepiness were twice as likely to have visual field loss than those who said they were not sleepy during the day and did not notice memory problems.
• People who said they had difficulty working on a hobby because they were sleepy during the day were three times more likely to have vision loss than people who reported no problems working on hobbies and no daytime sleepiness.

While it is unclear whether the sleep problems are a result of some glaucoma related phenomenon or perhaps whether these sleep problems might be early risk factors for glaucoma, it is important to mention to your eye doctor whether you experience sleep problems. Schedule an eye health exam beginning at age 40 at Center for Sight 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver  to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Safety Tips

Getting the right amount of UV light is important. Too much UV light exposure raises the risks of eye diseases, including cataract, growths on the eye, and cancer. Strong exposure to snow reflection can also quickly cause painful damage called snow blindness and direct exposure to the sun can cause “solar retinitis” or really a retina sunburn!

Growths on the eye, such as pterygium, can show up in our teens or twenties, especially in surfers, skiers, fishermen, farmers, or anyone who spends long hours under the mid-day sun or in the UV-intense conditions found near rivers, oceans, and mountains.

Diseases like cataract and eye cancers can take many years to develop, but each time we're out in the sun without protection we could be adding cumulative damage that adds to our risks for these serious disorders. Babies and kids need to wear hats and sunglasses for this very reason. People of all ages should take precautions whenever they are outdoors.

As we sleep, our eyes enjoy continuous lubrication. During sleep the eyes also clear out irritants such as dust, allergens or smoke that may have accumulated during the day. Some research suggests that light-sensitive cells in the eye are important to our ability to regulate wake-sleep cycles. This may be more critical as we age, when more people have problems with insomnia. While it's important that we protect our eyes from overexposure to UV light, our eyes also need minimal exposure to natural light every day to help maintain normal sleep-wake cycles.

Follow these tips to protect your eyes from the sun all year long:

• Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime, so be sure to wear UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats whenever you're outside.
• Don't be fooled by clouds: the sun's rays can pass through haze and thin clouds.
• Never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during an eclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, which is damage to the eye's retina from solar radiation.
• Don't forget the kids and older family members: everyone is at risk, including children and senior citizens. Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses.
• Get a moderate amount of UV light for a good night's sleep

To learn more about your specific lifestyle and risks, as well as UV eye protection, please discuss your questions with our eye doctors when you schedule an eye exam at Center for Sight 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver  to schedule an appointment. 

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

Benefits of Timely Cataract Surgery

Your doctor has diagnosed you with Cataracts and recommended surgery, but in the new reality of COVID concerns across our community, you might be tempted to wait a little longer before getting back out into the world. Especially, for a surgical procedure which can be a difficult decision for many people, even under the best conditions. But delaying recommended surgical care is a choice to be fully informed about as you weigh your options.

You know all too well how cataracts have affected your vision and activities of daily living, from cloudy, blurry or dim vision to difficulty reading street signs, and you might not have even noticed that you’ve been experiencing a gradual dulling of the colors in the world around you. But did you know that treating cataracts with surgery can have lasting benefits beyond improved vision.

Longer Life Expectancy
Research published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s, Ophthalmology, found increased mortality risk for older Australians with visual impairments when compared to their peers with normal vision. Having adjusted for age, gender, and a number of mortality risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular disease, body mass index and measures of frailty, researcher found that visually impaired patients had a 40 percent lower long-term mortality risk in those who had the cataract surgery. These findings suggest that improvements in physical and emotional well-being, optimism, greater confidence associated with independent living after vision improvement, as well as greater ability to comply with prescription medications could be reasons for patients living longer after cataract surgery.

Improved Driver Safety

People with cataracts often are unaware of the subtle changes in lifestyle and mobility that they adopt as they await the “right time” for cataract surgery. Almost always, people who have cataract surgery immediately feel an improved quality of life from the restored freedom of clear vision, especially for those who wish to continue to drive. A recent study also tells us that the choice of lens implant can play a role in restoring driving habits. When you schedule an appointment for a cataract evaluation or if you are visiting us for a cataract eye exam before surgery, please be sure to discuss and advise us of your driving habits and desires-especially night driving-so that we can counsel you on the different types of lens implants that we might use to help you return to a comfortable, convenient, safe and active driving experience along with the other activities that the cataract might have limited for you.

Reducing Risks

Delaying cataract surgery can have unexpected consequences also.  Systemic disease, ocular trauma, poor healthcare of the eye or body, and exposure to cigarette and cigar smoke, radiation, certain medications, cataracts can advance more quickly.  The effects of advancing cataracts may lead to impaired night vision, halos and glare, double vision and light sensitivity, resulting in increased driving risks. Left untreated, cataracts can lead to vision loss and total blindness in some cases.

Overcoming Anxieties

Perhaps you have been concerned that the experience itself will be uncertain.  A 2016 German study found 99% of patients reported the visual color experience during surgery to be either pleasant or neutral, while the majority of patients at Center for Sight have reported being very comfortable. 

Increased COVID Precautions and Safety Measures

Our Ambulatory Surgery Center, East Bay Surgery Center in Swansea, has set up extensive protocols to help patients access the critical care they need, and keep them safe.

If you or someone you know has questions about cataracts, cataract surgery or lens implants, please feel free to call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visit www.center-for-sight.com or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.