[Regenerative corneal medicine: ophthalmology applications].

Regenerative medicine is a branch of this science that aims at providing strategies to restore the function of organs and/or tissues. It is a new form of therapy for patients with acute or chronic diseases in which the body is unable to restore tissue function. It is estimated that in the USA over 60million people could benefit from this type of treatment as it covers a broad range of clinical applications in the field of medicine.1,2 Tissue regeneration mechanisms are very similar in most tissues. However, the cornea exhibits specific characteristics regarding morphology, tension, permeability and optical transparency which make it unique. It comprises a highly differentiated tissue to enable the transmission and refraction of light, which is the main optic element of the eye.3 At the level of the cornea, chemical or biological induction of regeneration by means of growth factors or other substances has brought about a significant development. Many topical agents have been utilized due to their efficient enhancement of tissue repair in wounds. Molecules such as angiotensin, retinoic acid, and amino acids such as l-arginine, soluble factors such as cytokines or interleukins, derivatives of synthetic purines, synthetic preparations of extracellular matrix and growth factors have been utilized to stimulate the operation and production of endogenous cells. Autologous serum is also part of regenerative medicine due to its effects on the ocular surface derived from its numerous biological properties. The characteristics of serum