NEW YORK. In a groundbreaking medical achievement, surgeons at NYU Langone Health have successfully performed the world’s first whole eye transplant on Aaron James, a 46-year-old man from Hot Springs, Arkansas. James, who suffered severe facial injuries and lost one eye in an accident with high-voltage power lines, underwent the unprecedented surgery last May.
The surgery aimed to improve the cosmetic results of a face transplant by replacing the missing eye, supporting the transplanted eye socket, and lid. Although it’s too early to determine if James will regain vision, the dual transplant has shown promising cosmetic results, with James recovering well.
While corneal transplants are common for treating certain types of vision loss, transplanting the entire eye, including the eyeball, its blood supply, and the optic nerve, represents a significant advancement in the quest to cure blindness. Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, NYU’s plastic surgery chief leading the transplant, emphasized that the goal is not to restore sight, but the procedure brings scientists one step closer.
Contrary to initial concerns about the donated eye shrinking, recent examinations revealed it to be healthy and full of fluid. Researchers are closely monitoring James’ progress, analyzing brain scans that detected signals from the injured optic nerve, offering insights into the healing process.
The surgery has generated excitement in the scientific community, validating years of animal experiments. Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg, chair of ophthalmology at Stanford University, praised the audacity of the NYU team in aiming for optic nerve repair and hopes the transplant will spur further research in regrowing the optic nerve.
Aaron James, who faced extensive facial injuries and multiple reconstructive surgeries following the accident, expressed optimism about the surgery’s potential benefits. His wife, Meagan James, highlighted the impact on his quality of life, emphasizing his determination to regain sensory experiences.
Face transplants, let alone those involving an entire eye, remain rare and risky. James’ case marks only the 19th face transplant in the U.S. and the fifth performed by Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez. The surgery involved additional complexity, including the injection of special stem cells from the donor to spur optic nerve repair.
As James continues his recovery, researchers anticipate further insights into the healing process of eye transplants, potentially paving the way for advancements in the field.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
