Aaron James, a veteran who received the world’s first whole-eye transplant, has traded in his old license plate, a reminder of his devastating injury, for a new one symbolizing his incredible recovery, CBS News reports.
In June 2021, James, a utility line worker, accidentally touched a live wire while on the job, resulting in severe injuries. He lost his left eye, most of his face, and his left hand, leaving him with a grim future ahead.
However, in a groundbreaking medical achievement, doctors at NYU Langone Health performed the world’s first whole-eye and partial-face transplant in May 2023.
“I’m pretty much back to being a normal guy, doing normal things,” James shared in a press release from NYU Langone Health. “This has been the most transformative year of my life.”
While James’ sight hasn’t yet returned, doctors are hopeful that the transplant will ultimately restore his vision.
“We are truly amazed by Aaron’s recovery, with no episodes of rejection,” said Dr. Eddie Rodriguez, one of James’ doctors for the transplant. “Our methodical approach to the matching process, ensuring that Aaron received the most favorable donor match, along with our unique immunosuppression regimen, has set the standard for eliminating and avoiding early rejection episodes.”
The transplant has not only given James the chance for a normal life again but has also opened up new possibilities for the future of eye transplants. Doctors are working to understand how to preserve nerve cells during the transplant process, which is crucial for restoring connections to the brain and enabling sight.
“The critical task ahead is to ensure that all of the eye cells survive the transplant, which is essential for restoring connections to the brain,” said Dr. Paul Glimcher, director of NYU Langone’s Neuroscience Institute. “That is the fundamental requirement for vision, as sight is primarily a function of the brain, not just the eyes.”
