In the summer of 2021, Aaron James, 46, from Arkansas in the United States received an electric shock of over 7,000 volts in the face during work. He accidentally touched a live wire and had to be taken to hospital with serious injuries.
A large part of his face was damaged, including his nose, lips and cheeks. He also lost the sight in his left eye. Last spring, he was admitted to NYU Langone Health in New York, a medical center that, among other things, carries out face transplants.
“He has been given a second chance”
On Thursday, the surgeons announced that they had succeeded in carrying out the world’s first transplant of an entire eye, reports AFP. The successful procedure is now hailed as a “medical breakthrough”, writes the news agency.
Surgeons had to remove part of Aaron James’ face as well as his injured left eye. Scientists have previously succeeded in eye transplants in mice, but until now it had never been performed on a living person.
– We always talk about a second chance in life. He has been given a second chance, says Eduardo Rodriguez, one of the surgeons who participated in the 21-hour operation.
Still can’t see
Ophthalmologist Vaidehi Dedania says the new eye is healthy and thinks like a normal eye, although Aaron James can’t yet see it.
– We have great hope, she says.
After the operation, Aaron James has spoken at a press conference, writes AFP. Among other things, he expressed gratitude to the donor’s family and the surgeons. The 46-year-old says he will return to his home in Arkansas, but will return to New York once a month for post-surgery follow-ups.