Sep 10, 2024
Science News
Pioneering Whole Eye and Face Transplant: 1-Year Clinical Results
A groundbreaking surgical procedure combined a whole eye and face transplant for the first time in a 46-year-old man who suffered catastrophic facial and eye damage. The surgery, detailed in JAMA, represents a major leap forward in transplant medicine, showcasing the successful revascularization of the eye and face.
Surgical Innovation
The patient underwent a complex microsurgical procedure that included ophthalmic vessel revascularization and optic nerve coaptation to restore function in the transplanted eye. Throughout the first year post-transplant, tests like electroretinography confirmed retinal responses to light, demonstrating some function in the eye, although no light perception was present after one year.
Clinical Outcomes and Future Potential
Despite the lack of light perception, the success in maintaining perfusion and retinal responses in the transplanted eye is a key milestone in transplant medicine. This study lays the foundation for future advancements in eye transplantation, with the ultimate goal of restoring vision to those with globe loss.
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