A primary X-linked infantile glaucoma is a defining and frequent component of OCRL and is secondary to expression of a primary filtration angle anomaly. Goniotomy was unsuccessful in all (8) operated eyes. The adverse effects of cataract surgery on the filtration angle structures may influence the results of goniotomy surgery by superimposing a secondary aphakic glaucoma component that may explain the need for alternative glaucoma surgery.

Background: Newborn primary congenital glaucoma is an unusual and important subtype of primary congenital glaucoma. Affected patients typically manifest specific signs that facilitate its recognition at birth and become important in the assessment and determination of appropriate treatment for this severe expression of primary congenital glaucoma. Patients and Methods: The medical records of 35 patients with newborn primary congenital glaucoma were reviewed to determine its clinical manifestations and response to therapy. The published literature related to newborn primary congenital glaucoma was reviewed and referenced. Results: Newborn primary congenital glaucoma is recognized at birth because of the associated corneal opacification. Ocular examination reveals anterior segment abnormalities of the cornea, iris, and filtration angle as well as related elevated intraocular pressure. Genetic analysis of a subset of patients with newborn primary congenital glaucoma confirmed its relationship with the less severe infantile form of primary congenital glaucoma, which is characterized by favorable results after goniosurgery. In contrast, goniosurgery was found to have unfavorable results and be less successful compared with trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage tube shunts as initial therapy for newborn primary congenital glaucoma. Conclusions: Newborn primary congenital glaucoma is an important subtype of primary congenital glaucoma. It can be differentiated from the more frequent and familiar infantile type by history and careful anterior segment examinations to enable and support appropriate choices for its successful surgical treatment. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2005;42:333–341.

Urban design and planning studios presented considerable challenges to teach remotely following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Planning is space-based and requires real-life experience, and existing virtual teaching platforms can hardly re-create the studio atmosphere. This paper presents an empirical study, via surveys and interviews, on how instructors in Greek universities, where online teaching carried on for three semesters, adjusted studio courses to remote teaching. Findings are organized into three rubrics: Resilience, Interaction, and Surprises. Results show that planning pedagogy needs to maintain problem-based methodologies, that existing platforms should be designed to better emulate the studio atmosphere, and that inviting guest speakers online is a practice that will remain post-pandemic.

In Greek cities and towns, playgrounds, which represent a significant portion of open public space available in high density compact urban areas, fail to positively impact the sustainability of the urban environment, as they are made of artificial materials and generally lacking in natural elements. Designed around safety from accidents, a typical urban playground is equipped with prefabricated play structures, surrounded by an extensive area of rubber protective floor providing a surface safe from falls etc. This water-sealed surface does not absorb rainwater and has a very hazardous behaviour in hot temperature climates, such as Greece has. This “toxic turf,” a product of recycled elastic tires, contains chemicals suspect for cancer. In addition, trees and vegetation are usually insufficient or absent, thus worsening the overheating due to lack of shade. Although this model continues to prevail in Greece, around the world there is a significant shift towards natural playgrounds – play spaces that are designed to incorporate trees, shrubs, dirt, sand, grass, and play elements that are not industrially manufactured but constructed in situ, using stone, wood, reed, and other natural materials. From a pedagogical point of view, a stereotypical playground offers a rather dull and uninteresting environment for children to play, compared to the rich experience of a natural playground. Therefore, if designed as green infrastructure, playgrounds can considerably contribute to urban climate adaptation and a cooler microclimate and at the same time provide opportunities for urban children to come to contact with nature and benefit from free play. The scope of the paper is to present the multiple environmental benefits of natural playgrounds and to calculate the potential positive effects by the transformation of playgrounds into green spaces in a compact urban area. The field study examines the existing playgrounds in the municipality of Thessaloniki and their potential to become part of the city’s green infrastructure.

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