Surgeons Perform World’s First Human Eye Transplant
Dr. Rodriguez with Aaron James (Source: Russ Geltman-NYU Langone Health)
The surgical team at NYU (New York University) Langone Health have announced the world’s first ever whole-eye transplant in a human.
The operation, which took 21 hours, was carried out in May this year by a team led by Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, who is director of the Face Transplant Program, the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, and chair of the Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone.
Dr. Rodriguez said, “The mere fact that we transplanted an eye is a huge step forward, something that for centuries has been thought about, but it’s never been performed.”
The team injected adult stem cells, harvested from the donor’s bone marrow, into the optic nerve to help it heal. In the six months since, the recipient has not regained sight in the transplanted eye, which is not communicating with the brain through the optic nerve. However, as the eye itself is in good health, Dr. Rodriguez believes that may yet change.
A New Path
“I don’t think anyone can claim that he will see,” he said. “But by the same token, they can’t claim that he will not see.”
The recipient of the eye is 46-year-old Aaron James from Arkansas. Mr. James lost his left eye, along with his left arm and much of the left side of his face, in a work accident in June 2021. He came into contact with a high-voltage wire, which nearly killed him.
During the same surgery, he also underwent a partial face transplant.
“Aaron has been extremely motivated to regain the function and independence he lost after his injury. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect patient,” said Dr. Rodriguez.
Mr. James knew from the start that the new eye was unlikely to work, and remains pleased with the outcome. He is hopeful this surgery “opens up a new path” for other patients who may benefit from an eye transplant.
He said, “I told them, ‘even if I can’t see… maybe at least you all can learn something to help the next person’. That’s how you get started.”
Regardless of the eye’s actual functionality, the transplant has been hailed as groundbreaking.
Dr. Vaidehi S. Dedania, retina specialist in the Department of Ophthalmology at NYU, said, “What we’re witnessing now is not something we ever expected or thought we’d see. The first step is having an intact eyeball, a lot of things could come after that. This is a first in the world, so we are really learning as we go.”
Aaron James will continue to undergo regular check-ups to monitor his new eye.
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