A few years ago, I experienced Blog Burnout – why? I was just not interested in writing anymore. In fact, I was not really interested in doing much of anything.

I knew that aging and life changes had affected my energy levels and mental well being. But why? I’d experienced other life changes, and sure, it affected me for a while, but not for months at a time. Something else was going on.

One change, was my vision. My visual acuity had greatly diminished. I had worn glasses for most of my life, but now even new glasses did not improve my vision like they once did. I could still see well enough to read and write, and do other activities, so why wasn’t I doing them?

It wasn’t until I had cataract surgery in both eyes, that I realized the answer.

A cataract is the crystallization or hardening of the internal lens of the eye. The normally clear lens, in conjunction with the cornea, refracts or bends light, allowing it to focus sharply onto the macula area of the retina. The crystallization of the lens makes the lens cloudy, preventing proper focusing, and reduces the amount of light entering the eye, resulting in diminished visual acuity.

During cataract surgery the old lens is removed, and a new Intraocular Lens (IOL) is put in its place. The IOL enables proper focusing, and allows the maximum amount of light to enter the eye, restoring clear vision. An individual, may still need external eye wear depending on other eye issues, but generally speaking the results are amazing!

In my case, my vision was restored to nearly perfect or 20/20 vision, as I am sure you’ve heard it called. Mine was actually 20/25 combined vision for both eyes!

So my surgery result was great, and of course I was very pleased, but my energy level still had not improved.

About six months after the surgery, I found myself doing projects. A lot of projects! Blogging, songwriting, household projects, planning outings, etc. It was like suddenly I had a burst of energy. I was elated by this energy, but I wondered why?

Then I recalled an article I had read decades before. It was by Dr. John Ott on Full Spectrum Light (FSL). Dr. Ott found that plant, animal, and human health all improve when exposed to FSL – or the full range of the sun’s visible colors, including wavelengths like infrared.

When one stays indoors, is continuously exposed to artificial lighting, or experiences long dark winters with reduced sunlight, they lose energy or become depressed. In my case, my dense cataracts were preventing me from getting FSL, thus my low energy and moody well being. That had to be it!

What does FSL do to the brain? Individuals who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the fall and winter months when sunlight is diminished, produce lower levels of the hormone serotonin.

“Serotonin is known to reduce depression and regulate mood, which in turn affects energy levels.”

There you have it. My cataracts prevented FSL from entering my eye, thus affecting my serotonin production!

Cataracts removed, my body took a while to adapt, and six months later my serotonin levels increased to normal and so did my life! That’s my theory anyway.

FSL is actually available in films and lighting equipment for those long, dark winter months. It should be utilized in schools, hospitals, and elder care facilities as well. If you are older, don’t neglect your eye health!

If you need cataract surgery – get it! It will improve your visual acuity, and your mental health! Try to get at least one hour a day of FSL.

You’ll be happy that you did!