Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can progress to severe disease requiring invasive treatment, including laser photocoagulation or intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, to prevent blindness. Because these treatments are invasive, noninvasive approaches that could limit disease progression are of clinical interest. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics evaluated whether topical dexamethasone could reduce progression from prethreshold ROP to treatment-requiring type 1 ROP in 100 preterm infants born before 30 weeks' gestational age. Type 1 ROP occurred in 20.0% of infants receiving dexamethasone eye drops compared with 38.0% receiving placebo, corresponding to a 47% relative risk reduction.

In the per-protocol analysis, type 1 ROP occurred in 18.8% versus 38.8%, respectively. No clinically significant differences in adverse events were observed between groups. These…