A 46-year-old veteran of the military underwent the first whole-eye and partial-face transplant in history, according to the medical team at NYU Langone Health.

According to researchers, a US war veteran who underwent the world’s first eye transplant in history has recovered significantly and is now able to lead a regular life. In addition, Aaron James, 46, underwent an uncommon partial face transplant. In 2021, he suffered a facial amputation due to an accident while performing his job as a high-voltage utility lineman.

In contrast to donor eyes in animals that frequently shrink following transplants, his donor eye has so far maintained normal pressure, blood flow, and size, according to researchers at NYU Langone Health in a recent study.

Although Mr. James hasn't been able to see out of that eye again, researchers are optimistic that he may ultimately be able to.

The light-sensitive nerve cells in the donor eye, known as rods and cones, were found to have survived the transplant, according to the study's authors, who also noted that an electro-retinography test, which gauges the retina's electrical response to light, confirmed this.

"This electrical response converts light into signals that ultimately the brain could interpret for vision, giving hope for the future of whole-eye transplants with an aim to restore sight," researchers stated.

His eye transplant success story, according to researchers, Mr. James has since achieved a number of significant life milestones, including the ability to taste solid food and smell once more. The 46-year-old former service member is the first person in the world to receive a full human eye transplant and just the 19th person in the US to have a face transplant.

Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, the director of NYU's Face Transplant Program and a senior author of the study, stated that researchers are currently concentrating on using the US veteran eye transplant to learn how to restore sight to the eye.

Meanwhile, Mr. James is now focusing on Alice, his daughter, being sent to college.