Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital published a study on August 10, 2026, in JAMA Pediatrics regarding Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The clinical trial investigated whether dexamethasone eye drops could reduce disease progression and prevent severe visual impairment in extremely premature infants. The study, known as the DROPROP randomized clinical trial, evaluated 100 infants born before 30 weeks of pregnancy who developed serious ROP not yet requiring immediate invasive intervention. Infants were randomly administered dexamethasone eye drops versus a placebo to track the therapeutic efficacy and relative risk reduction. Results demonstrated that only 20 percent of infants treated with dexamethasone progressed to treatment-requiring ROP compared to 38 percent in the placebo cohort, marking a 47 percent relative risk reduction. Furthermore, no clinically significant complications or severe hormonal and metabolic side effects were observed during the trial period. This simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive therapy offers a promising alternative to laser therapy or direct ocular injections, potentially preventing blindness in roughly 35,000 children affected globally each year, particularly in regions with limited access to advanced specialist care.
