Short-term Refractive Effects of Propranolol Hydrochloride Prophylaxis on Retinopathy of Prematurity in Very Preterm Newborns
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Monitoring Dynamic Growth of Retinal Vessels in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Mouse Model
Published on: April 2, 2021
Levent Korkmaz1, Cagatay Karaca2, Mustafa Ali Akin3
1a Division of Neonatology , Erciyes University Medical Faculty , Kayseri , Turkey.
Insights
Propranolol hydrochloride (PH) may cause a myopic shift in very preterm infants treated for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of PH on infant vision development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Propranolol hydrochloride (PH) is a novel treatment for ROP, but its long-term effects on infant vision are unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the short-term refractive effects of PH used for ROP prophylaxis in very preterm newborns.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
- Included very preterm newborns (birthweight ≤ 1500g or gestational age < 32 weeks).
- Measured cycloplegic refraction at corrected age in placebo and PH groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in anthropometric measurements between groups.
- PH group showed a significant myopic shift compared to the placebo group (0.37 D vs 1.37 D spherical refraction).
Conclusions:
- PH may induce a myopic shift in developing eyes, potentially via beta-adrenergic receptor effects.
- Long-term refractive follow-up is essential to assess PH's impact on emmetropization in preterm infants.
Purpose:
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the major problems of surviving premature infants with several ophthalmic morbidities such as increased risk of refractive errors, strabismus, and cortical visual impairment. Use of propranolol hydrochloride (PH) for the prevention of ROP is a new promising treatment modality. However, long-term effects are still to be defined. In our study, we aimed to investigate the short-term refractive effects of PH used for ROP prophylaxis in very preterm newborns.
Methods:
This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Very preterm newborns with a birthweight less than or equal to 1500 g and/or born prior to 32 gestational weeks were included in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: control group (CG, n = 37) given placebo and PH group (PHG, n = 34) given PH starting from 4 weeks after birth (27.1 ± 2.1 day). PHG patients received PH therapy for about 1 month (25.7 ± 7.8 day). Anthropometric measurements including weight, length, and head circumference were recorded before PH treatment (at birth) and during eye control (at corrected age). Cycloplegic refraction values were measured by retinoscopy at corrected age (CG: 10.3 ± 4.3 months, PHG: 11.4 ± 4.8 months).
Results:
Anthropometric measurements including gestational age, weight, length, and head circumference were similar at birth and corrected age in both groups. The mean level of spherical refraction was significantly less hyperopic in the PHG than in the CG (CG: 1.37 ± 1.40 D, PHG: 0.37 ± 1.44 D) (p = 0.005).
Conclusion:
PH may lead to myopic shift by affecting the beta-adrenergic receptors in the choroid or ciliary body of the developing eye. Long-term refractive follow-up is required in order to elucidate the effects of PH on emmetropization process of these very preterm infants.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...