PROGRESS-ROP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing Physiological Risk Factors for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Progression and Effects of Anti-VEGF Therapy on Neurodevelopment: PROGRESS-ROP Study
IRAS ID
358673
Contact name
Caroline Hartley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
1 in 3 babies born prematurely before 32 weeks are at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a condition caused by abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina. ROP is a leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide and can significantly impact a child’s quality of life. In 2010, a clinical trial showed that a treatment called anti-VEGF, which works by stopping abnormal blood vessel growth, is effective in treating ROP. As a result, it has been widely used in management of ROP. However, its effects on the development of both the retina and brain are still not well understood and have not been thoroughly studied.
To better understand this, we propose this study looking at how anti-VEGF therapy affects retinal and brain development in premature infants. We will monitor both the structure and function of retina, as well as brain function, before and at multiple time points following anti-VEGF treatment for ROP. Specifically, we will assess development at 2 and 8 weeks after giving anti-VEGF treatment, as it is known that the level of anti-VEGF in babies is highest around 2 weeks after giving the treatment and still detectable at 8 weeks.
We hope to gain a better insight into how anti-VEGF therapy influences the growth of both the retina and brain, paving the way for improved targeted interventions.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/EM/0004
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion