A groundbreaking medical breakthrough has seen Aaron James, a 46-year-old US military veteran, make extraordinary progress after undergoing the world’s first complete eye transplant. Researchers report that a year after the procedure, James has resumed many aspects of his normal life.
In addition to the whole-eye transplant, James also received a rare partial-face transplant following a severe accident in 2021, which occurred while he was working as a high-voltage utility lineman. The accident left him with significant injuries, including the loss of most of his face.
The transplanted eye has shown promising signs of success. According to researchers at NYU Langone Health, the eye has maintained its normal pressure, blood flow, and size—an impressive achievement, as similar attempts in animals have led to the shrinking of donor eyes post-transplant.
While James has not yet regained vision in the transplanted eye, doctors remain optimistic about the possibility of restoring sight in the future. “We are truly amazed by Aaron’s recovery,” said Dr. Vaidehi Dedania, James’s ophthalmologist. “The outcomes from this surgery are incredible and could open new doors for complex transplants involving critical sensory organs.”
The transplant team’s hope for eventual vision restoration is bolstered by electroretinography tests, which showed that the eye’s rods and cones—cells vital for vision—survived the transplant. These nerve cells convert light into electrical signals that are processed by the brain, making future sight restoration a possibility.
Mr. James, who lost an arm and much of his face in the accident, did not lose vision in his right eye. The groundbreaking surgery, which took place in May last year, lasted 21 hours and involved over 140 medical professionals. Both the face and eye came from a single donor, a male in his 30s.
To enhance the likelihood of vision recovery, surgeons injected stem cells from the donor’s bone marrow into the optic nerve, promoting nerve repair. Since the surgery, James has passed several significant milestones in his recovery, including regaining the ability to eat solid foods and smell again.
Reflecting on his journey, Mr. James said, “I’m back to being a regular guy, doing regular things. This past year has been the most transformative of my life. I’ve been given a second chance, and I cherish every moment.”
James is now focusing on sending his daughter, Alice, to college, a task he is now well enough to undertake.
Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, head of the Face Transplant Program at NYU Langone Health, noted that this breakthrough is just the beginning of ongoing research. “Our goal is to continue exploring ways to restore vision in transplanted eyes,” he said.
James is only the 19th person in the US to receive a face transplant, and the first ever to undergo a full human eye transplant. His remarkable recovery offers new hope for future advancements in the complex field of sensory organ transplantation.
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