Aim: To identify predisposing factors and to define clinical and microbiological characteristics of bacterial keratitis in current practice. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the hospital records of patients presenting with bacterial keratitis and treated at the Quinze-Vingts National Center of Ophthalmology, Paris, France, was performed during a 20 month period. A bacterial keratitis was defined as a suppurative corneal infiltrate and overlying epithelial defect associated with presence of bacteria on corneal scraping and/or that was cured with antibiotic therapy. Risk factors, clinical and microbiological data were collected. Results: 300 cases (291 patients) of presumed bacterial keratitis were included. Potential predisposing factors, usually multiple, were identified in 90.6% of cases. Contact lens wear was the main risk factor (50.3%). Trauma or a history of keratopathy was found in 15% and 21% of cases, respectively. An organism was identified in 201 eyes (68%). 83% of the infections involved Gram positive bacteria, 17% involved Gram negative bacteria, and 2% were polymicrobial. Gram negative bacteria were associated with severe anterior chamber inflammation (p=0.004), as well as greater surface of infiltrates (p=0.01). 99% of ulcers resolved with treatment, but only 60% of patients had visual acuity better than the level at admission, and 5% had very poor visual outcome. Conclusions: Contact lens wear is the most important risk factor. Most community acquired bacterial ulcers resolve with appropriate treatment.

Purpose: Despite extensive knowledge gained over the last three decades regarding limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), the disease is not clearly defined, and there is lack of agreement on the diagnostic criteria, staging and classification system among treating physicians and research scientists working on this field. There is therefore an unmet need to obtain global consensus on the definition, classification, diagnosis and staging of LSCD. Methods: A Limbal Stem Cell Working Group was first established by the Cornea Society in 2012. The Working Group was divided into subcommittees. Four face-to-face meetings, frequent email discussions and teleconferences were conducted since then to obtain agreement on a strategic plan and methodology from all the participants after a comprehensive literature search,

Patients with dry eye exhibit corneal hypoesthesia after mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimulation that appears to be related to damage to the corneal sensory innervation.