A Common Sleep Aid Preserves your Vision with Age
A popular sleep aid may help preserve your vision, with new research suggesting a link between melatonin and a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine reviewed records of over 200,000 individuals with either no history of age-related vision decline or early-stage nonexudative AMD.
Melatonin Use Linked to Reduced AMD Risk and Progression in Older Adults
The findings, derived from medical records between 2008 and 2023, consistently showed similar results across participants in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. In the 66,253 patients with early-stage AMD, melatonin use correlated with a 56% lower risk of disease progression.
The findings, derived from medical records between 2008 and 2023, consistently showed similar results across participants in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) impacts the macula, a central part of the retina at the back of the eye, crucial for direct vision. Approximately 11 million Americans suffer from AMD, a leading cause of age-related blindness.
In a 2020 mouse study, researchers first demonstrated that melatonin protected the retina from damage and slowed the progression of nonexudative AMD.
A 2021 study found lower melatonin levels in blood serum and tear fluid of AMD patients, and another paper that year showed melatonin supplements mitigated retinal degeneration in retinitis pigmentosa. Despite these findings, research remains in its early stages.
A Nighttime Hormone and Common Treatment for Sleep Disorders
Melatonin, a hormone produced in the brain at night, regulates sleep-wake cycles. FDA-approved since 2005, melatonin supplements are commonly used to treat insomnia and jet lag.
The latest study adds to the evidence supporting melatonin’s benefits for age-related vision decline. However, researchers acknowledge limitations, noting that lifestyle factors like diet and smoking influence AMD.
Additionally, those using supplements may generally engage in healthier behaviors, which could reduce their risk of age-related vision loss.
Despite the extensive data, the frequency and dosage of melatonin use among participants were not known. The researchers emphasize the need for further studies to test and control these variables, but their findings strongly support continued investigation.
Read the original article on: New Atlas
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