A longitudinal population study of the impact of cataract extraction on sleep quality

To investigate the longitudinal effects of cataract extraction on sleep quality in two discrete population cohorts.

301 participants who had senile cataract in both eyes at the baseline examination were selected from two large longitudinal epidemiologic studies of age-related eye disease, hearing, olfaction, and cognition. The participants were divided into two groups: one had cataract surgery (CS) in both eyes, and the other had no cataract surgery (NCS) in either eye by the follow up examination. Cataract was graded from photos or digital images using a standardized protocol. The quality of sleep was assessed using a modified Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study Questionnaire. The NCS and CS groups were compared as to the change in the number of sleep problems reported from the baseline to the follow-up examination. Systemic co-morbidity data were included as potential confounders, including diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, thyroid disease, tobacco and alcohol use, and the SF-12 physical component and mental component summary scores.

The average (mean±SD) age was 71.0±8.8 years in the NCS (n=237) group and 73.4±9.1 years (n=64) in the CS group. There was no statistically significant difference in the change in the number of sleep problems reported between the NCS and CS groups (mean: -0.068 for NCS and 0.016 for CS, p=0.57). The multivariable linear regression models, when adjusted for confounders, yielded similar results.

In this longitudinal, community-based population study, we found no significant impact of cataract extraction on sleep quality. Studies of the effect of cataract extraction on sleep should allow a longer follow up to demonstrate sustainability.