Eye Graft

Eye grafts may sound like a medical procedure out of science fiction, but as science and technology progress, the reality is that we may one day be able to regrow or transplant eyes between owners. Though the ability to fully graft a human eye isn't advanced enough to work, there are partial graft procedures already in use.

Cornea

• The cornea is the clear, front window of the eye. If a person develops a problem with their cornea, it could cause pain, blurry vision or, in some cases, partial or complete blindness. Fortunately, the cornea is one area of the eye that can be transplanted and grafted onto a new owner in order to solve a number of issues.

Considerations

• Corneal grafts are still considered very advanced procedures. The surgery takes a very skilled doctor who specializes in the eye, and the corneas must be both fresh and similar to the recipient's own eyes. It is possible that the body will reject the transplant as well, which could lead to bigger difficulties post surgery.

Optic Nerve

• One of the reasons that a corneal transplant is possible is because it doesn't cut the patient's optic nerve. One of the big difficulties with total eye grafts is that the optic nerve can't be regrown by any currently known means. However, research on the subject is ongoing.

Research

• According to "Time Magazine," there is ongoing research at the University of Chicago that's looking into the possibility of grafting and transplanting the eye. The experiments have not yet progressed beyond animal testing (specifically beyond testing on rats), but the research does show promise that eyes may be transplanted with some vision restored.

Donation

• In order for any part of an eye to be transplanted to another patient, the organ must be donated. Eye banks keep waiting lists for those who are waiting for eyes, and people who sign the organ donation section of their driver's license in the United States may opt to donate their eyes upon their death, assuming their eyes aren't damaged or diseased in some way.