Man receives first whole eye transplant after losing half his face

Aaron James suffered extensive facial damage after accidental contact with a live electrical wire. However, he has achieved a breakthrough in medical history by receiving a fully functional new eye.

Surgeons have successfully performed the first-ever procedure to implant a completely new eye as part of a revolutionary advancement in facial transplant operations.

The fortunate recipient, Aaron James, a resident of Arkansas, endured the loss of his left eye and half of his facial structure following a perilous incident involving a 7,200-volt electric shock in June 2021. At the age of 46, this military veteran was employed as a lineman when his face unintentionally made contact with a live wire, resulting in substantial injuries to his dominant left arm, extending above the elbow, as well as damage to his nose, lips, teeth, cheek, and even the underlying bone.

ust two months later, the NYU Langone team encountered James, initiating discussions and assessments regarding facial transplants. Subsequently, on May 27, 2023, a consortium of over 140 surgeons, nurses, and healthcare professionals undertook a marathon 21-hour surgery to restore James' countenance, ushering in a historic achievement by incorporating a new eye, an unmatched feat in medical history.

This groundbreaking procedure entailed employing an intact left eye and a segment of a donor's face, effectively blending these elements together for the first time in the annals of transplantation.

Although the extent of James' visual recovery in his newly acquired left eye remains uncertain, NYU Langone claimed that auspicious indications of robustness are evident, including unobstructed blood circulation to the retina.

"Aaron has exhibited exceptional motivation in his pursuit to restore the function and self-sufficiency that were compromised as a result of his injury," stated Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, the leader of the esteemed NYU Langone team. Dr. Rodriguez further expressed, "We could not have anticipated encountering a more exemplary patient. Such a remarkable accomplishment serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment towards embracing the most arduous obstacles and propelling incessant progress within the realm of transplantation and beyond."

The decision to proceed with the procedure was made following the surgical removal of James' left eye due to the alleviation of his intense pain. Dr. Rodriguez and his skilled team suggested preserving the length of the optic nerve in the hopes of utilizing it for a potential transplant, which initiated a dialogue on incorporating an eye into the facial transplant for the first time, even if solely for cosmetic purposes.

Even if James had solely undergone the face transplant, he would still have been partaking in a rare procedure, as fewer than 50 such surgeries have been conducted worldwide since the first one took place in 2005. Notably, Dr. Rodriguez has overseen five of these operations.

Corneal transplants have become increasingly prevalent, with thousands of procedures performed annually. However, due to the intricate nature of the eye, meticulous planning was necessary for the NYU Langone team to execute the concept of an eye transplant. As a pioneering approach, the team opted to inject bone marrow-derived adult stem cells from the donor patient into James' optic nerve, facilitating nerve regeneration. This groundbreaking procedure marks another notable achievement for the team.

Some doctors expressed concerns regarding potential atrophy of the eye; however, there have been no indications of rejection thus far. Additionally, there seems to be evidence of neural communication.

The team at NYU Langone clarifies that their achievement does not imply the restoration of James' vision, but rather signifies a significant advancement in their pursuit. These signs bring them closer to their goal.

"We have taken a major stride forward and have laid the groundwork for the subsequent phase of vision restoration," stated Dr. Rodriguez.

And despite James's inability to currently open his eyelid, he is able to experience sensations. Rodriguez has observed slight muscle movements around the eye.

"There has to be a pioneer, someone who starts the journey," James shared with The Associated Press. "Perhaps there will be valuable lessons learned from my experience that can benefit others in the future."

You can read more: https://scrippsnews.com/stories/what-are-the-challenges-to-getting-a-lung-transplant/