Vision Problems Linked to Sleep Meds, Raising Fall Risk
CAPITAL — April 25, 2025 — A recent study has found that individuals facing visual difficulties are more likely to rely on sleep medication, which could lead to a higher risk of falls, especially among older adults. The research highlights the critical role of vision for sleep and the potential adverse effects of sleep aids. Furthermore, the study’s findings suggest choice treatments might be viable as well. Read on for deeper insights.
Vision Problems Linked to Sleep Meds, Raising Fall Risk
2025-04-25
People experiencing visual difficulties are more likely to rely on sleep medication, a practice that could increase their risk of falls, according to a recent study. The research highlights a concerning connection between vision impairment, sleep aids, and potential health risks in older adults.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Visual impairment is associated with a higher likelihood of using sleep medication.
- Sleep medications can increase the risk of falls and cognitive decline, especially in older adults.
- Light therapy may offer a non-pharmacological alternative for some sleep disorders.
The Study: A Closer Look
the study, published April 12 in the journal Eye, analyzed data from 3,817 patients participating in the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). researchers found that:
- 41.7% reported difficulty falling asleep.
- 44.2% struggled to stay asleep.
- 26.5% used medication as a sleep aid.
The study revealed a notable correlation between visual difficulty and sleep problems.We found that self-reported visual impairment was associated with 40% greater odds of sleep medication use after adjusting for confounders,
the authors wrote.
The Vision-Sleep Connection
Vision plays a crucial role in regulating sleep and circadian rhythms. Light exposure stimulates hormones like cortisol and melatonin, which govern our sleep-wake cycles. Though, the relationship between vision and sleep in older adults is complex and not fully understood.
Risks of Sleep Medication and Potential Alternatives
The study emphasizes the risks associated with sleep medication, particularly for older adults.
Sedative and hypnotic medications used to promote sleep are associated with an increased risk of falls and cognitive decline, and many are included in the Beers Criteria of potentially inappropriate medications for adults over 65 years of age.Eye Journal Study
The authors suggest exploring alternative treatments for sleep disorders, such as light therapy, which may not require medication.
Future Research Directions
The researchers call for further studies to investigate the relationship between visual impairment, sleep medication, falls, and cognitive decline. They suggest that sleep medications may influence the connection between visual impairment and these adverse outcomes.
Visual impairment has been suggested to be a risk factor for falls and cognitive decline in older adults. As of that, sleep medications may interact with or mediate some of the relationship between visual impairment and these outcomes, which should be explored in future studies, the authors wrote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are people with visual impairments more likely to take sleep medication?
- Vision plays a key role in regulating sleep cycles, and impairments can disrupt these cycles, leading to sleep problems.
- What are the risks of taking sleep medication?
- Sleep medications, especially in older adults, can increase the risk of falls and cognitive decline [[3]].
- Are there alternatives to sleep medication?
- Yes, light therapy and other non-pharmacological treatments can be effective for some sleep disorders.
