SLEEP DISTURBANCES AMONG PERSONS WHO ARE VISUALLY-IMPAIRED - SURVEY OF DOG GUIDE USERS

It is claimed that blindness may predispose individuals to disturbed s leep because light is an important mechanism for entraining circadian rhythms. One in five respondents in a survey described the quality of their sleep as either poor or very poor. Exercise was associated with better sleep, and depression with poorer sleep. That visual acuity did not predict the quality of sleep casts doubt on the notion that restr icted visual (photic) input is a widespread cause of sleep disturbance among persons who are visually impaired. As with sighted persons, dep ression appears to be a highly significant risk factor for disturbed s leep in persons who are visually impaired.