whole eye transplantation

Sir, Is the complete eye transplantation possible? If not, why only the Corneal transplantation is possible? Are there any severe problems in the complete eye transplantation.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Whole eye transplantation is not possible nor is it likely to occur soon. The optic nerve is brain tissue and it does not regenerate when cut.  It's like the spinal chord. If the spinal chord is cut they donot sew it back together because it will make no effort to heal. But if the peripheral nerves like to hand are cut they sew them back because peripheral nerves do try to heal.  There are many many researach barriers to overcome before whole eye transplants can be done. Research is now underway on artifical eyes and artificals maculas and growing new retinas.

JCH IIIMD