Dexamethasone eye drops reduce ROP treatment need

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital conducted the first randomized clinical trial testing dexamethasone eye drops to prevent treatment-requiring retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in extremely premature infants. The DROPROP study enrolled 100 infants born before 30 weeks of gestation across Sweden from 2022 to 2025. Results showed that 20% of infants receiving dexamethasone developed treatment-requiring ROP versus 38% in the placebo group, a 47% relative risk reduction. Although not statistically significant, the effect was clinically large. The treatment is simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive, potentially reducing the need for laser therapy or intravitreal injections. No significant side effects were observed. The study was funded by the Sweden — Swedish Research Council and published in JAMA Pediatrics. The product Dexafree was donated by Théa Nordic AB. Researchers plan long-term follow-ups to assess vision outcomes and late effects.