NYU Langone Health Conducts First-Ever Whole-Eye & Partial-Face Transplant

A surgical team from NYU Langone Health performed the world’s first whole-eye and partial-face transplant on a 46-year-old military veteran from Arkansas who survived a high-voltage electrical accident. The surgery, which included transplanting the entire left eye and a portion of the face from a single donor, marked the first human whole-eye transplant in medical history. Since the May 2023 procedure, the transplanted left eye has shown promising signs of health, with direct blood flow to the retina. Although it is unknown whether the patient will regain sight, this groundbreaking achievement opens new possibilities for future advancements in vision therapies and related medical fields.

Led by Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, the 21-hour surgery involved more than 140 surgeons and healthcare professionals. The recipient, Aaron James, suffered extensive injuries, including the loss of his left eye, nose, lips, teeth, and part of his face, in the electrical accident. Within just three months of being listed for organ donation, a suitable donor was found, leading to the successful transplant. The possibility of a face transplant was discussed a year after the injury, and the decision to include a whole-eye transplant in combination with the face was made by the multidisciplinary team and James’ family. This groundbreaking procedure, made possible with advanced technology and collaboration, paves the way for further research into whole-eye transplants and nerve regeneration in connection to visual restoration.


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