Considerations for future studies on the effect of late phase oxygen strategies on retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Strategies to ensure high intraocular oxygen delivery to the developing retina after 32 weeks gestational age, such as higher saturation targets and/or higher hemoglobin levels, are hypothesized to prevent ophthalmological treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This short report summarizes the current evidence of these strategies, and discusses possibilities of future studies. A large sample size would be required and therefore the feasibility of a future randomized controlled trial is questioned.