The Sleep Health of Individuals with Visual Impairments: A Scoping Review

Amidst the global aging population and an increasing prevalence of visual impairment across all age groups, this study aims to investigate the current state of research on sleep health in visually impaired populations.

A scoping review was conducted to synthesize the existing literature on sleep health and visual impairment. We employed conceptual mapping to identify key research topics, analyzing data from four databases: PubMed (n = 290), CINAHL (n = 81), Scopus (n = 117), and PsycInfo (n = 96). A total of 83 peer-reviewed articles, published from 1977 to August 2023, were included in the review.

Our analysis identified 11 distinct eye health conditions including blindness, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, low vision, cataract, retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, optic neuropathy, visual field defects, ocular hypertension, and retinal vein occlusion. Additionally, 8 major sleep problems were recognized: abnormal sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, Non-24-Hour Sleep Wake Disorder, sleep apnea, sleep disorders, sleep disturbances, and sleep disordered breathing. The dominant research themes were (1) poor sleep quality in individuals with visual impairments and ophthalmic diseases, (2) high prevalence of sleep issues in patients with ophthalmic diseases, (3) sleep apnea in patients with ophthalmic conditions, and (4) circadian rhythm disruptions in blind individuals.

This review highlights research gaps that, when addressed, could greatly enhance our comprehension of the interplay between visual impairment and sleep health. Bridging these gaps promises to lead to more holistic care strategies, potentially improving vision functioning and rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with visual impairments.