HormonesMelatonin

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.

Last updated: Jul 8, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Association between circadian rhythm sleep disorder and open-angle glaucoma: The modifying role of melatonin.

observational

Eleiwa T, Chauhan M, Kishor K, Al Aref S, Khodeiry M, Abboud I, Bhattacharya S, Lee R, Elhusseiny A · Research square (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 5 years
Intervention: Circadian rhythm sleep disorder (CRSD) diagnosis vs. polysomnography-tested controls without sleep disorders; subgroup analysis of melatonin use
Outcome: Incidence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and ocular hypertension (OHT) at 1, 3, and 5 years
Effect Size: 5-year OAG aHR 2.88 (95% CI 1.78-4.66) for CRSD vs. controls; 5-year OAG aHR 2.07 (95% CI 0.88-4.84) for melatonin users
Population: Adults (≥18 years) with CRSD matched 1:1 to controls from TriNetX database

Result:

PubMed: 42396504DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9740601/v1

Mechanism Graph

Circadian rhythm disruption impairs neurovascular regulation
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Reduced melatonin production may compromise ocular blood flow and intraocular pressure control
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Melatonin supplementation may restore circadian homeostasis and protect retinal ganglion cells
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Result: Lower risk of open-angle glaucoma in melatonin users

Limitations

  • ⚠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.

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References

  1. 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
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.