According to the findings of a new study, yellowing of the lens as a part of the aging process has been associated with insomnia. The study published in the Sept 1 issue of the journal “Sleep” has reached to a conclusion that insomnia is more frequently observed in the elderly because the yellowing of the lens interferes with the transmission of the blue light. It is a known fact that blue light, which is a part of the visible spectrum, initiates the release of melatonin from the brain. The hormone melatonin influences the normal sleep cycle by sending signals to the body when it is time to sleep.
The study, which was conducted on 970 volunteers, measured the amount of blue light being transmitted on to their retina. This was achieved with the help of lens auto-fluorometry, a non-invasive technique. The volunteers were considered to be suffering from a sleep disorder if they had insomnia or used sleeping pills. 82.8 % participants were found to have both insomnia as well as dependency on sleeping pills to get a proper sleep. On the basis of the data collected, the researchers found that there is an inverse relationship between blue light transmission and the risk of having sleep disturbances. The participants in whom the transmission of blue light on to the retina was impaired because of yellowing of lens had an increased risk of suffering from sleep disorders.
According to Line Kessel, M.D., Ph.D., a senior scientist in the Department of Ophthalmology at Glostrup Hospital in Denmark, and the study's lead author, age-related lens yellowing may be responsible for insomnia in the elderly. It has been noted in earlier studies that the rate of lens aging is accelerated in smokers, patients with diabetes mellitus and those at high risk for ischemic heart diseases. It may possibly be the reason behind the higher incidence of sleep related disorders, in these people. Another important point that has emerged from the study is that elderly patients suffering from sleep related disorders could benefit from cataract surgery which subsequently improves the transmission of blue light.
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