You’ve probably heard of people taking melatonin supplements to help them get over jet lag or deal with chronic insomnia.

But did you know that this hormone, which your brain produces in response to darkness, has other amazing powers?

Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic have found that people ages 50 and older who are taking the supplement are protected from developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In fact, those who took melatonin and did not have AMD cut their risk in half.

And those who had been diagnosed with AMD and took melatonin were able to significantly slow progression of the disease.

Melatonin does this by tamping down oxidative damage, the spread of new, fragile blood vessels, and helping block dysregulated cell death. (That seems to help prevent several types of cancer too.)

The National Eye Institute says that 11 million Americans have AMD. It causes loss of central vision because of damage to the macula, the part of the retina that controls sharp, straight-ahead sight.

There are two forms of macular degeneration: dry and wet (which may develop from dry AMD). A supplement called AREDS 2 that combines vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, and copper in specific doses is often prescribed to slow the progression of some forms of AMD.

Melatonin supplementation may be another smart approach.

Talk to your doctor about taking AREDS 2 and melatonin if you are at risk for or have developed AMD.