‘There’s got to be a first person somewhere – maybe you’ll learn something from it that will help the next person’
A man who suffered horrific injuries after being electrocuted has become the world’s first ever eye transplant patient.
Aaron James was working for a power line company back in June 2021 when he was struck by a live wire, which gave him a 7,200-volt electric shock.
Although the dad from Arkansas survived, he suffered awful injuries as the shock destroyed his entire nose, lips, front teeth, left cheek and his chin.
James was also left without his left eye and left arm.
Following the accident, he underwent extensive reconstructive surgery and physical therapy.
And in May this year, the 46-year-old became the first person to ever receive an eye transplant. James underwent the surgery at NYU Langone Health, where he also received a face transplant.
The 21-hour operation saw surgeons inject James with special stem cells from the person who had donated their eye, with the aim of encouraging the repair of his optic nerve.
Six months on from the operation, doctors are happy with how James’ progress and how his body has accepted the eye.
Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, who led the transplant, said: “We’re not claiming that we are going to restore sight. But there’s no doubt in my mind we are one step closer.”
And James has said the eye “feels good.”
He told Associated Press: “I still don’t have any movement in it yet. My eyelid, I can’t blink yet. But I’m getting sensation now.”
Although he was the first person to ever undergo such a procedure, James had little hesitation in having the surgery and knows the good it could do for others in the future.
“You got to start somewhere, there’s got to be a first person somewhere,” he said. “Maybe you’ll learn something from it that will help the next person.
“Hopefully this opens up a new path.”
Whilst doctors have made it clear that James is unlikely to regain vision with his new eye, they haven’t ruled it out.
“I don’t think anyone can claim that he will see. But by the same token, they can’t claim that he will not see,” Rodriguez said.
“At this point, I think we’re pretty happy with the result that we were able to achieve with a very technically demanding operation.”
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