In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a team of surgeons at NYU Langone Health in New York successfully conducted the world’s first whole-eye transplant, marking a significant leap in the realm of medical science. The historic procedure, announced on Thursday, involved the intricate grafting of a donor’s facial tissue and entire left eye onto Aaron James, a line worker from Arkansas who endured severe injuries from a 7,200-volt electric shock in June 2021.

Aaron James, 46, faced extensive trauma, losing his left eye, dominant left arm above the elbow, nose, lips, front teeth, left cheek area, and chin. Referred to NYU Langone Health, a renowned center for facial transplants, James underwent the unprecedented surgery on May 27, orchestrated by lead surgeon Eduardo Rodriguez during a marathon 21-hour operation.

The transplantation of an entire eye, a long-standing aspiration in medical science, had seen some success in mice but had never been attempted in a living person until now. Rodriguez, praising James for his courage, emphasized the second chance at life afforded to the patient and the potential benefits for others facing similar challenges in the future.

Although James has not regained sight post-surgery, retinal ophthalmologist Vaidehi Dedania reported that the transplanted left eye displayed robust health indicators, maintaining good blood supply, pressure, and generating electrical signals. James, described as an ideal candidate due to his need for a facial transplant, expressed profound gratitude to the donor’s family and the medical team during a press conference.

Experts in the field, such as Kia Washington from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Daniel Pelaez from the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, lauded the achievement as a pivotal moment in the collective effort to restore sight globally.

As James, whose right eye remains unaffected, returns to New York for monthly follow-ups, the prospect of optic nerve regeneration and potential sight restoration is being explored. The NYU Langone team revealed the use of bone marrow-derived adult stem cells to promote nerve repair, while experts contemplate additional cutting-edge approaches, including gene therapy and nerve wrap devices, to enhance the connection between the donor eye and the brain.

While some experts express caution regarding the likelihood of regained vision, the prevailing sentiment among the medical community is one of optimism, viewing this milestone as a significant stride toward meaningful visual function restoration for blind patients worldwide.