In May 2023, Aaron James, an electrical lineman, underwent the first partial face transplant that included an eye. One year post-procedure, there have been no signs of rejection, and blood flow to the donated eye is present. However, James cannot see out of the transplanted eye, as reported by a medical team from New York University Langone Health on September 9 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The nerve connections from the eye have deteriorated.
A test assessing the eye's reaction to light revealed a minimal response, though this does not indicate a potential for restored vision, according to the medical team. James lacks sensation on the surface of the eye, and the eyelid remains closed. He will require immunosuppression drugs for the remainder of his life.
The concept of whole eye transplant has long been suggested as a possible remedy for blindness, but experts highlight numerous obstacles to achieving this. A significant challenge is reestablishing nerve connections between retinal cells and the brain's visual processing centers, which do not regenerate after injury. James sustained a high-voltage electrical injury in 2021, resulting in the loss of his left eye, nose, lips, and a substantial portion of his facial tissue. An appropriate deceased donor was located in May 2023, and the transplant surgery lasted 21 hours. At the one-year mark, James reported notable enhancements in his quality of life.
