Man Receives World’s First Eye Transplant, And Everyone Has The Same Question

Aaron James underwent a groundbreaking 21-hour transplant after surviving a high-voltage electrical accident in 2021

A U.S. military veteran has made history by receiving the world’s first full-eye transplant, and doctors are stunned by how well he is recovering.

Aaron James, 46, was working as a high-voltage utility lineman when he suffered a life-altering accident.

He was holding a neutral wire when a live wire carrying 7,200 volts struck his face, causing catastrophic injuries.

Although Aaron miraculously survived, he lost most of his face in the accident. To restore his appearance and function, doctors performed a complex facial tissue and eye transplant.

More than a year after the 21-hour operation, Aaron’s donor eye is showing promising signs, maintaining its size, blood flow, and proper pressure.

As part of the procedure, surgeons injected stem cells from the donor into Aaron’s body, hoping this would stimulate the regeneration of his optic nerve.

Despite the incredible medical achievement, one question remains on everyone’s mind—can Aaron actually see out of his transplanted eye?

NYU Langone Health

Discussing Aaron’s case, YouTuber and doctor @DrEyeGuy explained: “[Doctors] had to connect the eye muscles, create adequate blood supply to the outside and inner part of the eye, and they had to connect the donor optic nerve with Aaron’s optic nerve which is amazing.”

“Now, unfortunately, he can’t see out of that eye, but I don’t want that to lessen the miracle here.”

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