Whole-eye
NEW YORK: Surgeons in New York are claiming a groundbreaking achievement by performing the world’s first whole-eye transplant on Aaron James, a man who survived a high-voltage electrical accident.
The procedure, which lasted 21 hours, involved replacing half of James’ face, and experts view it as a significant milestone in medical history, although the outcome regarding the patient’s vision recovery remains uncertain.
James, a high-voltage utility line worker from Arkansas, suffered severe facial injuries in 2021 after an accidental encounter with a 7,200-volt live wire.
The rare surgery, conducted on May 27 of this year at New York University (NYU) Langone Health by a team of over 140 healthcare professionals, included a partial face and eye transplant.
Despite the complexity of the procedure, James, 46, is reported to be in full recovery, and the transplanted eye is deemed exceptionally healthy, with his right eye still functioning.
Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, a leading surgeon on the team, emphasized the groundbreaking nature of the achievement, stating that the successful whole-eye transplant with a face is a feat many believed to be impossible.
The surgery provides a unique opportunity for researchers to gain insights into how the human eye attempts to heal.
While doctors acknowledge the uncertainty of James regaining vision in the new eye, they do not dismiss the possibility.
Dr. Rodriguez clarified that the goal is not necessarily to restore sight immediately, but the successful procedure brings them one step closer to that objective.
Aaron James, a military veteran, expressed optimism about the potential impact on the medical field, stating, “If I can see out of it, that’s great. But if it’ll kick-start the next path in the medical field, then I’m all for it.”
He will continue to be closely monitored by doctors, and his progress with the eye transplant has been described as exceptional.
The donated face and eye, sourced from a male donor in his 30s, underwent additional stem cell injections into the optic nerve for repair. James becomes the 19th person in the United States to undergo a face transplant.
