Circadian rhythm sleep disorder is associated with an increased risk of open-angle glaucoma, and melatonin use may reduce this risk.
In a retrospective cohort study of 24,730 matched pairs, patients with circadian rhythm sleep disorder had a significantly higher risk of open-angle glaucoma at 5 years (0.27% vs. 0.08%; aHR 2.88, 95% CI 1.78-4.66). Among melatonin users, the risk was not significantly different from controls, suggesting a potential protective effect of melatonin.
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Circadian rhythm sleep disorder is associated with an increased risk of open-angle glaucoma, and melatonin use may reduce this risk. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Circadian rhythm sleep disorder is associated with an increased risk of open-angle glaucoma, and melatonin use may reduce this risk.
This conclusion is most relevant to: Adults (≥18 years) with circadian rhythm sleep disorder matched 1:1 to controls without sleep disorders, from TriNetX database.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Association between circadian rhythm sleep disorder and open-angle glaucoma: The modifying role of melatonin. (Research square, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Circadian rhythm disruption impairs neurovascular regulation
- ▸Reduced melatonin production may compromise ocular blood flow and intraocular pressure control
- ▸Melatonin supplementation may restore circadian homeostasis and protect retinal ganglion cells
- ▸Result: Lower risk of open-angle glaucoma in melatonin users
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Adults (≥18 years) with circadian rhythm sleep disorder matched 1:1 to controls without sleep disorders, from TriNetX database
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Retrospective cohort design limits causal inference
- ▸Reliance on ICD-10 codes may introduce misclassification bias
- ▸Melatonin use was not randomized; dosage and adherence not specified
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main finding of this study?▼
Circadian rhythm sleep disorder is associated with a nearly threefold increased risk of open-angle glaucoma over 5 years, but this risk appears to be mitigated in patients using melatonin.
How large was the study population?▼
The study included 24,730 matched pairs of patients with circadian rhythm sleep disorder and controls, totaling 49,460 participants.
Was melatonin use associated with a lower risk of glaucoma?▼
Yes, among melatonin users (4,081 pairs), the risk of open-angle glaucoma was not significantly different from controls, suggesting a potential protective effect.
What type of study was this?▼
This was a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records from the TriNetX database.
References
- 1.Eleiwa T, Chauhan M, Kishor K, Al Aref S, Khodeiry M, Abboud I, Bhattacharya S, Lee R, Elhusseiny A. “Association between circadian rhythm sleep disorder and open-angle glaucoma: The modifying role of melatonin..” Research square, 2026. PMID: 42396504 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9740601/v1