Introduction: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative retinal disorder leading to central vision loss. This study investigates the association between AMD and sleep quality and sleep duration. Methods: Our team examined a variety of published literature, such as case series, clinical trials, and economic studies. These studies were retrieved from the online databases of peer-reviewed literature, CINHAL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE, as well as literature that was published, but not peer reviewed. We used the statistical analysis software STATA 15.0 to assess for any overall relationships between AMD and sleep quality, sleep duration, or both. Results: Nine articles, with a total of 4,502 subjects, were used to conduct the meta-analysis. There were significantly higher Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores (greater than 5) among AMD patients: effect size (ES) = 0.52, 95%; confidence interval (CI): (0.38, 0.65). These scores indicate that individuals with AMD often have higher PSQI scores, suggesting poorer sleep quality. Furthermore, the meta-analysis showed significantly higher rates of insomnia among AMD patients: ES = 0.02, 95%; CI: (0.01, 0.03). The effect of AMD on sleep time was nonsignificant: ES = 0.04, 95%; CI: (–0.17, 0.25). The odds ratio for sleep time over 8 hr was also not significant among patients with AMD: ES = 0.99, 95%; CI: (0.64, 1.52). Discussion: The findings highlight a significant association between AMD and poor sleep quality, evidenced by higher PSQI scores and increased rates of insomnia among AMD patients. The disruptions in sleep are likely due to the psychological stress associated with vision loss related to AMD, as well as potential disruptions in melatonin synthesis and circadian rhythms. Implications for Practitioners: These results emphasize the need for targeted interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and melatonin supplementation, to improve sleep quality in this population. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of sleep disturbances in AMD and to assess the efficacy of these treatments.
Tran et al. (Fri,) studied this question.