Visionary Effort Launches to Revolutionize Eye Transplants
A groundbreaking national project is underway, bringing together a dream team of scientists, doctors, and industry experts with a shared ambition: to make vision-restoring whole eye transplants a reality.
“We are incredibly excited to be a part of this potentially transformative effort, which holds enormous promise for patients suffering from vision loss,” said Kevin (Kyung) Park, Ph.D., Professor of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience at UT Southwestern Medical Center, who is leading the UT Southwestern site of the project.
Jeffrey Goldberg, M.D., Ph.D., Blumenkranz Smead Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology at Stanford University’s Byers Eye Institute, will serve as principal investigator. José-Alain Sahel, M.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh, will co-direct the initiative.
“This team possesses decades of collective expertise in promoting optic nerve regeneration and retinal neuron survival in the context of devastating eye diseases like glaucoma,” said Dr. Goldberg. “This specialized knowledge uniquely positions us to tackle the critical challenge of achieving functional vision restoration through eye transplantation.
The ambitious project is funded by a $56 million award from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts (THEA) program. The project, titled “Viability, Imaging, Surgical, Immunomodulation, Ocular preservation and Neuroregeneration (VISION) Strategies for Whole Eye Transplant,” reflects the project’s comprehensive and collaborative approach.
“Scientific breakthroughs are rarely, if ever, achieved in isolation. It takes a collective spirit of collaboration to push the boundaries of what’s possible,” said Dr. Sahel. “By combining our expertise in ophthalmology, tissue preservation and regeneration, immunology, and surgery, we are confident in our ability to lay a solid foundation for vision restoration through whole eye transplantation.
The biggest hurdle for the team will be transitioning whole eye transplants from purely aesthetic successes to functionally restorative procedures. Achieving this will necessitate unlocking the secrets of optic nerve regeneration, the crucial neural conduit connecting the eye to the brain.
A Multifaceted Approach to Restoration
The VISION for Whole Eye Transplant is truly holistic, encompassing a wide range of disciplines and cutting-edge technologies. The team, a veritable powerhouse of talent, will be simultaneously advancing and developing several innovative approaches. These include creating cutting-edge medical devices, integrating artificial intelligence, developing new surgical techniques, pioneering regenerative medicine breakthroughs, and devising effective strategies for mitigating organ rejection.
Meticulous donor eye selection, advanced ocular imaging, and specialized logistics for organ procurement and preservation will be absolutely crucial. These essential elements will be led by collaborators renowned for their expertise in these critical areas.
Recognizing that successful transplantation extends beyond the surgical procedure itself, the team is also developing tailored post-care rehabilitation programs to ensure recipients regain optimal vision and adapt to their new sight.
While whole eye transplants are the ultimate goal, the team emphasizes that this ambitious project will likely lead to other significant breakthroughs along the way. This commitment to iterative innovation will undoubtedly benefit countless individuals suffering from a spectrum of eye diseases, including glaucoma.
“As we develop a range of new technologies, we are committed to ensuring that they are accessible to all who need them,” said Dr. Goldberg. “We believe that breakthroughs in vision restoration should benefit everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances.
What are the biggest challenges facing researchers working on vision-restoring whole eye transplants?
## Vision Restoration: A Conversation with Dr. Goldberg
**(Host):** Joining us today is Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg, principal investigator for a groundbreaking new project aimed at revolutionizing eye transplants. Welcome to the show, Dr. Goldberg.
**(Dr. Goldberg):** Thank you for having me. I’m excited to discuss this important work.
**(Host):** This project sounds incredibly ambitious. Can you tell us a little bit about its goals?
**(Dr. Goldberg):** Absolutely. Our ultimate goal is to make vision-restoring whole eye transplants a reality. This means going beyond simply replacing an eye aesthetically; we want to restore functional vision for patients suffering from severe vision loss.
**(Host):** That’s an incredible objective. What makes this project different from previous attempts at eye transplants?
**(Dr. Goldberg):** This project brings together expertise from multiple fields, including ophthalmology, immunology, tissue preservation, and surgical techniques. This multidisciplinary approach, combined with vital funding from ARPA-H and a dedicated team of researchers, gives us the best chance to overcome the significant scientific hurdles involved. [[1](https://nyulangone.org/news/nyu-langone-health-performs-worlds-first-whole-eye-partial-face-transplant)]We’ve learned a lot from past attempts and we’re confident we can build on that knowledge.
**(Host):** You mentioned significant hurdles. What are some of the biggest challenges you foresee?
**(Dr. Goldberg):** The biggest challenge is connecting the optic nerve. The human eye is intricately connected to the brain through this nerve, and reestablishing those connections is crucial for vision restoration. We need to develop strategies to promote nerve regeneration and ensure those new connections function properly.
**(Host):** This sounds like truly cutting-edge science. Can you tell us more about the specific techniques you’re exploring?
**(Dr. Goldberg):** While we can’t reveal all our secrets just yet, our research involves advancing techniques in tissue engineering, immunomodulation to prevent rejection, and neuroprotective therapies to promote nerve cell survival and regeneration.
**(Host):** It sounds like a challenging but incredibly rewarding project. What are your hopes for the future of this research?
**(Dr. Goldberg):** Our goal is to bring hope to millions of people facing vision loss. We envision a future where whole eye transplantation becomes a viable option to restore sight and improve quality of life for patients around the world.
**(Host):** Dr. Goldberg, thank you for your time and for sharing this groundbreaking work with us.
**(Dr. Goldberg):** It was my pleasure.