Stem cells are a unique population of cells that have garnered widespread lay and scientific attention. Stem cells can be broadly classified in totipotential and pluripotential subtypes. We directed our attention to periocular adipose tissue as a potential source of adult regenerative cells. Adipose tissue throughout the body is generally derived from mesodermal tissues, and, hence, it is plausible that cells similar to MSCs constitute a significant fraction of the nonadipocytic cells obtained from these tissues. Cells of both ectodermal and mesodermal origin contribute to the development of the ocularsystem.