Surgeons in New York have performed the first-ever whole-eye transplant in a human, they announced on Thursday, an accomplishment being hailed as a breakthrough even though the patient has not regained sight in the eye.
Studies have shown optic nerve regeneration is possible in some lower vertebrates, such as fish and frogs, but there’s no evidence it can work in mammals.
seems fairly complex and risky for just a cosmetic procedure eh? are glass eyes that different? I’m struggeling to find a rationale for whole eye transplant with far less risky alternatives, especially if its purely cosmetic. But then again I’m not an optimetrist lol.
Since he was already having half his face transplanted, I think they did it just because why not. They wanted to prove they could re-vascularize the retina at least. He was aware of the risks and it likely already came from the same donor anyway so it’s not like it created more of a rejection risk than whatever musculature they already transplanted. If the retina didn’t get successfully revascularized or it was some sort of very localized rejection, they’d just enucleate the eye and put in a prosthetic.
You don’t. The retina to the brain is a whole package. This is a cosmetic transplant. They don’t expect him to regain any vision.
Edit: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/did-surgeons-just-transplant-whole-eye
seems fairly complex and risky for just a cosmetic procedure eh? are glass eyes that different? I’m struggeling to find a rationale for whole eye transplant with far less risky alternatives, especially if its purely cosmetic. But then again I’m not an optimetrist lol.
Since he was already having half his face transplanted, I think they did it just because why not. They wanted to prove they could re-vascularize the retina at least. He was aware of the risks and it likely already came from the same donor anyway so it’s not like it created more of a rejection risk than whatever musculature they already transplanted. If the retina didn’t get successfully revascularized or it was some sort of very localized rejection, they’d just enucleate the eye and put in a prosthetic.
makes sense. well eye transplants are a thing now, thats fun.