The invention relates to a cell population comprising minimal volume of orbital fat-derived stem cells (OFSCs) and its isolation, purification, characterization and application. The OFSCs of the invention are capable of multilineage development and express at least CD90 and CD 105 but not hematopoietic and epithelial markers. The OFSCs have colony formation ability and multi-lineage differentiation ability. They possess at least osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacity besides mesodermal tri-linage differentiation, the OFSCs have corneal epithelial differentiation potential. Taking together, orbital fat tissues are a novel source for multi-potent stem cells which possess multiple therapeutic potential. Therefore, the OFSCs can be used in cell therapy and tissue engineering.
