Aaron James, a 46-year-old retired American soldier, lost most of his face and one eye in an accident while performing high-voltage power line maintenance in 2021. As a result of the studies, James, who underwent a full eye transplant for the first time in the world, gave hope to doctors working in this field.
BOTH FACE TRANSPLANTATION AND EYE TRANSPLANTATION
According to researchers at New York University’s Langone Health Medical Center, a group of patients who have undergone partial face transplants and a full eye transplant in the same operation, the patient’s eye maintains normal pressure and blood flow. Similarly, in animals that have undergone transplants, the donor eye has been observed to shrink after the operation. James’ vision in his donor eye has not returned, but researchers hope he will be able to see again one day.
”THE RESULTS OBTAINED ARE EXTRAORDINARY”
Vaidehi Dedania, James’ ophthalmologist, said, “The results we have achieved after the operation are extraordinary. These results could inspire research into transplants for critical sensory organs.” The experts, who published the post-transplant process as a study, performed an electroretinography test on James, which measures the electrical response of the retina to light. This test revealed that the light-sensitive nerve cells in the donor eye survived the transplant.
FACE AND EYES CAME FROM A MALE DONOR
James, a 46-year-old retired American soldier, underwent a 21-hour surgery involving more than 140 medical professionals, and his face and eyes came from a male donor in his 30s. During the surgery, doctors injected adult stem cells from the donor’s bone marrow into his optic nerve to enhance the repair.
Medical research published about James’ recovery process highlights his achievement of significant progress after the transplant, such as eating solid foods and being able to smell again.
FIRST PERSON IN THE WORLD TO UNDERGO A WHOLE EYE TRANSPLANT
The 46-year-old retired soldier, who became the 19th person to receive a face transplant in the United States, became the first person in the world to have a total eye transplant. Commenting on his recovery process, James said, “I’m pretty much back to being a regular guy, being able to do standard things.”