The effects of retinoic acid on human corneal stromal keratocytes cultured in vitro under serum-free conditions.

Purpose: Retinoic acid (RA) is a metabolite of vitamin A that plays a fundamental role in the development and function of the human eye. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of RA on the phenotype of corneal stromal keratocytes maintained in vitro for extended periods under serum-free conditions.

Methods: Keratocytes isolated from human corneas were cultured up to 21 days in serum-free media supplemented with RA or DMSO vehicle.