Key TakeawaysMelatonin’s antioxidant properties may help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in older adults.However, researchers have not yet pinpointed an optimal dose of melatonin for eye health.In general, long-term melatonin use is typically safe at low doses for most people. That said, it’s always important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you’re thinking about taking.
Key Takeaways
Melatonin’s antioxidant properties may help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in older adults.However, researchers have not yet pinpointed an optimal dose of melatonin for eye health.In general, long-term melatonin use is typically safe at low doses for most people. That said, it’s always important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you’re thinking about taking.
Melatonin, a popular supplement touted for helping you get some shut-eye, may also benefit your eyes when you’re awake. According to new research, melatonin may help with a condition calledage-related macular degeneration (AMD)in older adults.
The study looked at a large group of people aged 50 and older, including some with nonexudative (dry) AMD and some who didn’t have the condition. People with a history of taking melatonin had a lower risk of developing AMD if they didn’t already have it and a slower progression if they did.
“While this is just one study using retrospective data, I do find the results very exciting, in that this other potential antioxidant, melatonin, could help prevent the progression of macular degeneration as well,”Theodore Leng, MD, an associate professor of ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine, told Verywell.
Here’s what experts say about the potential untapped role of melatonin for eye health.
Types of Macular Degeneration: Wet, Dry, and Stargardt Disease
What Is AMD?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common progressive eye disease people can get as they get older. It blurs yourcentral vision, which can make it harder to read, drive, and tell objects apart. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in adults aged 65 and older.
The good news is, if dry AMD is caught early, there are some things you can do to slow the progression:
Historically, there have not been many treatment options for late-stage AMD. But recent studies have shown that dietary supplements rich in antioxidants (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin), also called the AREDS2 formula, can help slow the progression and preserve central vision for the millions of people living with the disease.
What Is Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
How Can Melatonin Protect Against AMD?
Similar to the vitamins and minerals in the AREDS2 formula, melatonin has anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic (which means it slows tumor growth), and mitochondrial-protective properties that make it a strong candidate for also potentially slowing the development and progression of dry AMD.
This might be, in part, because the condition is associated with inflammation and the negative consequences of aging.
Macular Degeneration and Age: How Young Can You Be Diagnosed With AMD?
Is Taking Melatonin Long Term Safe?
Melatonin, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies as a dietary supplement, isconsidered safeto take long-term and is not associated with any long-term side effects.However, there are some possible short-termside effects associated with melatonin, such as:
While it might be relatively safe to take, more research is needed on thelong-term effects of daily melatonin useto determine how well it works over time.
There is no optimal dosage recommendation for daily melatonin use, but approximately 5–6 milligrams per dose has been found to be safe. For the purposes ofslowing AMD, the recent study did not control for the dose people consumed, so more research is needed to determine how much is needed to be effective for this purpose.
As always, it’s best to talk to your provider about any supplements or vitamins you’re thinking about taking. If you’re worried about your eye health, your provider can also recommend steps to take to help lower your risk andprotect your visionas you age.
What This Means For YouGetting a yearly eye exam, keeping up with health-supporting lifestyle habits, and possibly taking certain vitamin and mineral supplements may help prevent age-related eye health conditions like AMD. While more research is needed, melatonin, a common sleep supplement you might already be taking could possibly help prevent or slow the progression of the disease.
What This Means For You
Getting a yearly eye exam, keeping up with health-supporting lifestyle habits, and possibly taking certain vitamin and mineral supplements may help prevent age-related eye health conditions like AMD. While more research is needed, melatonin, a common sleep supplement you might already be taking could possibly help prevent or slow the progression of the disease.
How Is Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treated?
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Healio.Melatonin use associated with lower risk for AMD development, progression in older adults.Jeong H, Shaia JK, Markle JC, Talcott KE, Singh RP.Melatonin and risk of age-related macular degeneration.JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024;142(7):648-654. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.1822Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About age-related macular degeneration.National Eye Institute.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Age-related macular degeneration.National Eye Institute.AREDS/AREDS2 clinical trials.Martín Giménez VM, de Las Heras N, Lahera V, Tresguerres JAF, Reiter RJ, Manucha W.Melatonin as an anti-aging therapy for age-related cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.Front Aging Neurosci. 2022;14:888292. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2022.888292National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: what you need to know.Besag FMC, Vasey MJ, Lao KSJ, Wong ICK.Adverse events associated with melatonin for the treatment of primary or secondary sleep disorders: a systematic review.CNS Drugs. 2019;33(12):1167-1186. doi:10.1007/s40263-019-00680-wGivler D, Givler A, Luther PM, et al.Chronic administration of melatonin: physiological and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2023;15(1):518-533. doi:10.3390/neurolint15010031Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevalence estimate for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Healio.Melatonin use associated with lower risk for AMD development, progression in older adults.Jeong H, Shaia JK, Markle JC, Talcott KE, Singh RP.Melatonin and risk of age-related macular degeneration.JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024;142(7):648-654. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.1822Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About age-related macular degeneration.National Eye Institute.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Age-related macular degeneration.National Eye Institute.AREDS/AREDS2 clinical trials.Martín Giménez VM, de Las Heras N, Lahera V, Tresguerres JAF, Reiter RJ, Manucha W.Melatonin as an anti-aging therapy for age-related cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.Front Aging Neurosci. 2022;14:888292. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2022.888292National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: what you need to know.Besag FMC, Vasey MJ, Lao KSJ, Wong ICK.Adverse events associated with melatonin for the treatment of primary or secondary sleep disorders: a systematic review.CNS Drugs. 2019;33(12):1167-1186. doi:10.1007/s40263-019-00680-wGivler D, Givler A, Luther PM, et al.Chronic administration of melatonin: physiological and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2023;15(1):518-533. doi:10.3390/neurolint15010031Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevalence estimate for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Healio.Melatonin use associated with lower risk for AMD development, progression in older adults.Jeong H, Shaia JK, Markle JC, Talcott KE, Singh RP.Melatonin and risk of age-related macular degeneration.JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024;142(7):648-654. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.1822Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About age-related macular degeneration.National Eye Institute.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Age-related macular degeneration.National Eye Institute.AREDS/AREDS2 clinical trials.Martín Giménez VM, de Las Heras N, Lahera V, Tresguerres JAF, Reiter RJ, Manucha W.Melatonin as an anti-aging therapy for age-related cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.Front Aging Neurosci. 2022;14:888292. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2022.888292National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: what you need to know.Besag FMC, Vasey MJ, Lao KSJ, Wong ICK.Adverse events associated with melatonin for the treatment of primary or secondary sleep disorders: a systematic review.CNS Drugs. 2019;33(12):1167-1186. doi:10.1007/s40263-019-00680-wGivler D, Givler A, Luther PM, et al.Chronic administration of melatonin: physiological and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2023;15(1):518-533. doi:10.3390/neurolint15010031
Healio.Melatonin use associated with lower risk for AMD development, progression in older adults.
Jeong H, Shaia JK, Markle JC, Talcott KE, Singh RP.Melatonin and risk of age-related macular degeneration.JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024;142(7):648-654. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.1822
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About age-related macular degeneration.
National Eye Institute.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Age-related macular degeneration.
National Eye Institute.AREDS/AREDS2 clinical trials.
Martín Giménez VM, de Las Heras N, Lahera V, Tresguerres JAF, Reiter RJ, Manucha W.Melatonin as an anti-aging therapy for age-related cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.Front Aging Neurosci. 2022;14:888292. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2022.888292
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: what you need to know.
Besag FMC, Vasey MJ, Lao KSJ, Wong ICK.Adverse events associated with melatonin for the treatment of primary or secondary sleep disorders: a systematic review.CNS Drugs. 2019;33(12):1167-1186. doi:10.1007/s40263-019-00680-w
Givler D, Givler A, Luther PM, et al.Chronic administration of melatonin: physiological and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2023;15(1):518-533. doi:10.3390/neurolint15010031
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevalence estimate for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
