NEW YORK, US – Surgeons in New York have reported a groundbreaking achievement – the world’s first complete eye transplant performed on Aaron James, a survivor of a high-voltage electrical accident.
Although the restoration of vision remains uncertain, Mr. James underwent a 21-hour surgery that replaced half of his face.
This milestone follows years of successful corneal transplants. Experts hail this breakthrough as a pivotal moment in the global effort to restore sight for millions.
Mr. James, a high-voltage utility worker from Arkansas, experienced severe facial injuries in a 2021 electrical incident.
On May 27 of this year, he underwent a rare dual transplant – a partial face and a complete eye transplant, involving over 140 healthcare professionals at NYU Langone Health.
Surgeons reported Mr. James, 46, is recovering well, and the donated eye appears remarkably healthy, with his right eye still functioning.
“The mere fact that we’ve accomplished the first successful whole-eye transplant with a face is a tremendous feat many have long thought was not possible,” said Dr Eduardo Rodriguez, one of the leading surgeons on the team. “We’ve made one major step forward and have paved the way for the next chapter to restore vision.”
In an interview, Mr. James expressed his optimism, 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.”
As a military veteran, Mr. James will continue to be closely monitored, with doctors noting exceptional progress with the transplanted eye.
The face and eye were donated by a single male donor in his 30s. During the surgery, doctors injected adult stem cells from the donor’s bone marrow into the optic nerve to stimulate its repair.
Mr. James now joins the ranks as the 19th person in the US to undergo a face transplant, marking a significant stride in medical history.
