A veteran who received the world’s first whole eye transplant recently traded in his old license plate, which featured his injured face, to mark his recovery.
Utility line worker Aaron James He lost most of his face in a June 2021 work incident when he accidentally touched a 7,200 volt live wire. Doctors performed the world’s first whole-eye and partial-face transplant in May 2023, and now James is back to everyday life.
“I’m back to being a normal person, doing normal things,” James said in a press release from NYU Langone Health in New York City. “All in all, though, this has been the most transformative year of my life.”
While his sight has not returned, doctors are optimistic about what the transplant could mean next.
A life-changing accident
James doesn’t remember an accidentCBS News previously reported. He was taken to a regional burn unit after accidentally touching a live wire while holding a ground wire in his left hand, NYU Langone said.
Dr. Eddie Rodriguez, one of James’ transplant doctors, previously said he was “in bad shape.” They have to cut off his hand [above the elbow]So right on the middle arm. His face is destroyed.”
James was in a medically induced coma for six weeks and spent more than three months in a Dallas hospital’s burn unit, according to NYU Langone. When he woke up, he had lost his nose, his front teeth, his left eye and his dominant left hand. He also lost up to his chin bone, 20% of his tongue, his left cheek and his lip.
recovery process
The National Guard veteran, who served three tours in Iraq, Kuwait and Egypt, underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries, but was still unable to eat and drink normally. James also had difficulty speaking, so he agreed to undergo a face transplant, which included the world’s first transplant of a donor eye.
While he regained the taste, smell and ability to eat solid food, James’ sight did not return. Doctors say his transplant gives them “hope for the future of whole-eye transplants with the aim of restoring sight” because a test showed the eye’s light-sensitive nerve cells survived the transplant.
“We are truly amazed at Aaron’s recovery, with no episodes of rejection,” said Dr. Rodriguez said. “Our methodical approach to the matching process, ensuring that Aaron received the most favorable donor match with our unique immune system, set the standard for eliminating and avoiding early rejection episodes.”
moving forward
Director of NYU Langone’s Neuroscience Institute and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Dr. The next step in eye transplants is to preserve the nerve cells during the procedure, said Paul Glimcher.
“The next critical task is to ensure that all eye cells survive the transplant, which is necessary to restore the connection with the brain,” Dr. Glimcher said. “It is a fundamental requirement for vision, because vision is primarily a function of the brain, not just the eyes.”
Doctors plan to continue working with James and try to figure out how they can restore sight.
“I’ve prided myself on having zero patience,” James said. “Even if I can’t see with my new eye, I’ve regained my quality of life, and I know this is a step forward in helping future patients.”
He also has something else to look forward to: sending his daughter to college.
“I’ve been given the gift of a second chance, and I don’t take a moment for granted,” James said.
Eliza Chason is a digital content producer for “60 Minutes” and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.
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