Orbital Stem Cells

Stem cell research in the field of ophthalmology over the past two decades has advanced knowledge and treatment dramatically. Bone marrow-derived stem cells (BM-MSCs) have been widely studied and have many applications in the eye and other organs; since processed lipoaspirate was first identified as a source of adipose tissue derived stem cells (ASCs), further research has blossomed in this exciting new area. Despite the growth in research involving systemic adipose tissue, the orbital adipose tissue, which is unique in its embryology and has an abundant supply of stem cells, has only recently gained attention. The purpose of this chapter is to outline our current knowledge and recent advances in stem cell research and applications in the orbit, particular orbital adipose stem cells. This chapter will review the fundamentals of adipose stem cell research, the role of orbital fat, dysregulation of orbital adipogenesis, new research on orbital fat stem cells (OFSCs), and potential applications in inflammatory disease and reconstructive and esthetic surgery.