Surgeons in New York claim to have performed the world’s first total eye transplant on a man named Aaron James. James underwent 21 hours of surgery after a high-voltage electrical accident that left him with severe facial injuries. The procedure involved a rare partial face transplant as well as the eye transplant. While it is uncertain if James will regain his sight, doctors believe the surgery has provided valuable insights into the human eye’s healing process.
The surgery was carried out by a team of over 140 medical specialists at NYU Langone Health. Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, one of the lead surgeons, described the procedure as a “tremendous feat” and stated that it paves the way for future advancements in restoring vision. The donated eye has been deemed exceptionally healthy, but doctors do not guarantee that James will regain vision. Regardless, James sees the surgery as a breakthrough in the medical field, and he expressed his gratitude to the donor and their family.
Only 19 people in the US have previously undergone a face transplant, making James one of a select few. The surgery has been described as “life-changing” by James, who is now on the path to recovery.
