The protective role of green spaces in mitigating myopia prevalence.

Near-sightedness, or myopia, is becoming more prevalent worldwide, but its etiopathogenesis is not fully understood. This review examines the potential protective role of green spaces in reducing myopia prevalence among children and adolescents, based on recent epidemiological studies from various countries. The studies consistently used the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to quantify green space exposure.

Evaluating distance stereoacuity in children 4-17 years of age with a novel digital application.

Distance stereoacuity measurement enables the evaluation and management of binocular vision disorders. Here, we compare the results obtained using standard tests for distance stereoacuity measurement with the novel STab test. We tested 87 children (4-17 years of age) using different tests for the quantification of stereopsis at distance: Distance Randot Stereotest (DRS), M&S random dots (M&S), and STab.

The dynamic optotype (Dyop): a novel visual acuity test for use in children.

Purpose: To evaluate the "dynamic optotype" (Dyop), a simple visual acuity test based on a dynamic target that requires minimal knowledge of symbols and letters.

Methods: A total of 160 consecutive, systemically healthy children, 4-17 years of age were prospectively recruited from the Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit of Meir Medical Center. Children were tested with the Dyop visual acuity test and the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) Lea numbers chart.

Diagnosis and Management Practice Patterns among Pediatric Ophthalmology Personnel in Israel.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnosis and management practice patterns of different aspects of pediatric ophthalmology among pediatric ophthalmologists and orthoptists in Israel.

Methods: A 21-question survey was delivered to all registered pediatric ophthalmologists and orthoptists in Israel.

Results: The response rate was 58.

Risk factors for keratoconus in Israel: a case-control study.

Purpose: Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive corneal thinning disorder with an uncertain aetiology. Environmental and genetic factors, including consanguinity, eye rubbing and possibly sun exposure, play a role in the aetiology of KC. Here we test for risk factors for KC in an Israeli population with particular emphasis on sun exposure.