Researchers at Flinders University in Australia have identified a potential link between sleep disturbances and myopia in children, suggesting that reduced nighttime melatonin may accompany the condition. The findings add a new dimension to how eye development and sleep health may interact, highlighting the importance of sleep quality for young eyes and overall wellbeing. The observations were published in Sleep, a journal that regularly explores the connections between circadian biology and pediatric health.
The study followed 40 children aged 8 to 15, comparing 26 with myopia to 14 without. It focused on when melatonin is released, how well children slept, and how their cognitive functions fared across both groups. The researchers also considered how daylight exposure might influence the production of melatonin, dopamine, and other regulators that help set circadian rhythms. In children, good sleep is linked to healthy eye development, and daytime light is a key driver of the body’s internal clock, energy levels, and visual maturation. This broader context supports the idea that sleep and vision may share common regulatory pathways.
Results indicated that myopic children tended to produce less melatonin at night than their peers without myopia. This reduced melatonin production was associated with signs of circadian rhythm disruption, including difficulties falling asleep, trouble waking up on time, and irregular sleep patterns. Additionally, the myopic group showed more frequent awakenings during the night, contributing to a perception of poorer sleep quality overall. The pattern suggests that altered melatonin timing could be one piece of a larger puzzle linking eye growth and sleep regulation in children.
From these observations, researchers propose that better understanding of circadian biology in pediatric populations with myopia could inform new strategies for improving sleep and, potentially, ocular health. The work aligns with broader findings that emphasize daylight exposure as a practical approach to support sleep-wake cycles and daytime alertness. Encouraging outdoor activity and safe sun exposure may help regulate melatonin and other circadian factors, which in turn could influence sleep quality and daytime functioning in children with or at risk for myopia.
Overall, the findings highlight an area ripe for further investigation: how sleep timing and light environment intersect with eye development in children. The researchers stress that lifestyle factors such as regular bedtimes, adequate sunlight during daytime hours, and a consistent sleep routine may play a role in supporting healthy melatonin rhythms and sleep architecture, with potential downstream benefits for vision and cognitive performance. While more work is needed to establish causality and identify practical interventions, the study adds to a growing body of evidence that sleep health is an essential component of pediatric eye care and overall well-being.