Melatonin: Is It More Than Just a Sleep Aid?

You’ve probably heard about melatonin and its sleep benefits.

Melatonin the hormone that helps regulate your body’s internal clock, signaling when it’s time to wind down for the night.

But now, new research shows that this versatile hormone could have other health benefits, specifically when it comes to preserving your eyesight as you age.

A team of medical researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Ophthalmic Bioinformatics found further evidence that regular consumption of melatonin reduces an older person’s chances of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—a disease that often leads to blindness.

AMD is a serious concern for many older adults, with approximately 11 million people in the U.S. alone experiencing vision loss due to this condition.

As we age, the macula—a central part of the retina—can begin to deteriorate, leading to gradual vision loss and even blindness. While medical scientists have been searching for ways to prevent or stop the progression of AMD, there is still no cure.

But that’s where melatonin comes in.

In recent years, research teams have been finding that those taking melatonin supplements may be less likely to develop AMD.

A 2020 study found that higher levels of melatonin can prevent retinal damage due to AMD, while a 2021 study discovered that patients with AMD tended to have lower-than-average amounts of melatonin in their blood and tears.

In this latest study, published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology, the research team looked at the medical records of 200,000 older people covering the years 2008 to 2023, searching for an association between regular melatonin consumption and AMD development.

Out of 121,523 patients aged 50 years or older who had no evidence of AMD, many were regular users of melatonin supplements. The researchers also found that many patients who began taking melatonin supplements after developing AMD experienced slower degradation than patients who did not begin taking supplements.

While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanism, it’s thought that melatonin’s antioxidant properties may help protect the retina from oxidative stress and damage, which are key factors in the development and progression of AMD.

Melatonin is produced naturally in your brain, and it has been strongly associated with the sleep cycle. The brain makes more of it in response to darkness, which is why several companies make and sell melatonin as a dietary supplement intended to help people having trouble going to sleep.

But this new study adds more evidence that regular consumption of melatonin could have benefits beyond just improving sleep. By potentially warding off the development and progression of AMD, melatonin may offer a simple, accessible way to protect your eyesight as you age.

Of course, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen, including melatonin. They can help you determine the proper dosage and ensure it won’t interact with any other medications you are taking.

In the meantime, there are other steps you can take to support your eye health, such as eating a diet rich in leafy greens and omega-3 fatty acids, wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV damage, and getting regular eye exams to catch any potential problems early on.

To brighter days and clearer vision,

Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team

Source:

Jeong, H., Shaia, J. K., Markle, J. C., Talcott, K. E., & Singh, R. P. (2024). Melatonin and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. JAMA Ophthalmology. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.1822