While corneal transplantation is quite common, whole eye transplantation remains a significant challenge due to the complexity of the eye and obstacles such as nerve regeneration, immune rejection, and retinal blood supply. Rebuilding the neural connection between the eye and the brain is the critical factor for restoring vision after transplantation.

On November 9, 2023, a pioneering surgical team at NYU Langone Medical Center achieved a groundbreaking milestone: the world's inaugural eye transplant. Under the leadership of Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, the team performed the historic operation, bringing newfound hope to Aaron James, a local resident grappling with profound eye injuries.

In 2021, the man named Aaron James, faced a harrowing incident while on the job. He was struck by a high-voltage electrical surge, with his face making contact with a live wire carrying up to 7,200 volts of power. The severity of the incident nearly claimed his life.

Although he was fortunate to survive, Aaron James paid a heavy price. He lost his left arm, and the severe pain in his damaged left eye ultimately led to its removal. Despite undergoing multiple reconstructive surgeries, the extensive damage to his face could not be fully repaired, leaving him without a nose, lips, and left cheek area.

In May 2023, Aaron James underwent a transformative surgery. The procedure, which lasted around 21 hours, involved over 140 dedicated medical professionals and included a full left eye and partial face transplant. During the operation, the skilled surgical team extracted adult stem cells from the eye donor's bone marrow. These cells were then carefully injected into Aaron James' optic nerve, with the aim of replacing damaged cells and protecting the nerve.

The team reported that in the months following the surgery, Aaron James' transplanted eye exhibited clear signs of health, including excellent blood vessel function. This positive progress has been a source of pride and hope for the medical community. Although the transplanted eye is not yet able to communicate with Aaron James' brain, this remarkable achievement by this medical team lays a solid foundation for the potential restoration of vision in the future. This breakthrough will significantly advance related medical fields. The team is currently following up and monitoring Aaron James closely, eagerly exploring all possibilities for restoring vision in his transplanted eye.

Dr. Rodriguez's medical team believes that even if a full eye transplant only enhances Aaron James' appearance without restoring vision, the operation is still worthwhile. Since James would need to use anti-rejection drugs for a face transplant alone, including the eye transplant offers additional potential benefits.

For Aaron James, even though his transplanted eye may not restore vision, he still considers the surgery a success. He hopes his story can inspire others facing similar challenges and pave the way for future surgical research and innovation.