Evaluation of timed dexamethasone eye drops to prevent proliferative retinopathy of prematurity: a study protocol for a randomized intervention, multi-centre, double-blinded trial (DROPROP).

ABSTRACT:

Background

As the survival rate of preterm infants continues to rise worldwide, more infants are at risk of developing sight-threatening retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Destructive retinal laser treatment and intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), factor, which have potential systemic side effects, are necessary to prevent blindness in severe cases of ROP. Off-label use in clinical settings suggests that dexamethasone eye drops, 1 mg/ml, may prevent the progression of ROP to severe disease (Type 1 ROP) requiring treatment. Our current study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of timely administered dexamethasone eye drops to reduce the need for laser or anti-VEGF ROP treatment in preterm infants.

Methods

In a randomized prospective in

SUBMITTER: Hellstrom A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12036246 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature