Aaron James suffered an accident involving high-voltage power lines in 2021, resulting in the loss of his left eye and eyelid, his nose, lips, and facial tissue, along with his left arm.
Initial surgical reconstruction left him struggling to eat and breathe comfortably.
Last year, the 46-year-old received a partial facial transplant that, for the first time in history, included a donor eye.
Neither the face nor the eye have been rejected by James’ body.
Scientists now say the transplanted eye’s retina is responding to light, and that pressure is normal and blood flow in the area is good, though James still cannot see through that eye.
“While the recipient has not regained vision, the transplanted eye has maintained normal pressure, good blood flow, and some remaining structure and functions in the retina,” Dr Eduardo Rodriguez, who was part of a study cataloguing James’ progress and who led the transplant operation, said.
“Many experts did not think we would even be here, but we’ve successfully transplanted and maintained an eye without immune rejection.
“Now, the next challenge is understanding how to restore sight. I look forward to continuing this research in collaboration across academia to accelerate these discoveries with unique tools and the best therapies.”
“You got to start somewhere, there’s got to be a first person somewhere,” James said after the transplant last year.
“Maybe you’ll learn something from it that will help the next person.”