Observations of vitamin E in experimental oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) is a proliferative retinopathy observed in premature infants. Its relationship to oxygen has led to both clinical and laboratory research into the potential benefits of the antioxidant tocopherol in this disorder. Although the clinical trials to date have only suggested a beneficial result, studies in the kitten model demonstrate two significant actions of tocopherol in protecting against this retinopathy, only one of which is predicted by theory. These data support the need for prospective controlled trials in human premature infants.