Sandra Belmont MD - Belmont Eye Center

04/11/2025

Aeth’s graduation, 040425. Congratulations, Aethan! KUDOS!

10/01/2024

orld's First Whole-Eye Transplant: A Breakthrough in Surgery, But Vision Remains Unattainable

In a historic medical milestone, 47-year-old Aaron James, a utility lineman, underwent the world’s first whole-eye transplant. This groundbreaking procedure, which also included a face transplant, was performed last year, following a severe accident in which James lost half his face and an arm to a high-voltage electrical cable. While face transplants are becoming more common, the successful eye transplant marked an unprecedented achievement in surgical history.

The surgery, performed over 21 hours by a team of 140 healthcare professionals, is a leap forward in transplant science. Despite the success of the transplant in maintaining normal eye pressure and blood flow, James cannot see out of the transplanted eye—yet the operation laid the foundation for future research and advancements in eye transplants. The news, recently covered in the medical journal JAMA, has garnered significant attention as a first-of-its-kind achievement.

Why Is Whole-Eye Transplantation So Challenging?
While tens of thousands of partial eye transplants, such as corneal transplants, are performed each year, a full-eye transplant poses a far greater challenge. One of the main issues lies in the complexity of the eye's anatomy and its connection to the brain.

The optic nerve, which carries electrical information from the eye to the brain, plays a pivotal role in vision. With approximately 1.2 million nerve cells forming the optic nerve, reattaching and reconnecting these nerves to another person’s brain is currently beyond medical capabilities. Each nerve cell contributes to specific visual information, and mapping each one accurately to the recipient’s brain is exceedingly complex.

Additionally, the photoreceptor cells in the retina, which convert light energy into electrical energy, are incredibly delicate and require constant blood supply. In fact, without a steady supply of oxygen, retinal cells can begin to die within 12 minutes. During James’s surgery, surgeons were able to maintain blood supply to the transplanted eye, which is why the eye has survived, unlike previous failed attempts in animal models.

https://belmonteyecenter.com/worlds-first-whole-eye-transplant-a-breakthrough-in-surgery-but-vision-remains-unattainable/

09/09/2024

What Ophthalmologists Want You to Know About Eye Color-Changing Drops

In recent months, eye color-changing drops have gained significant attention across social media platforms, with many users drawn to their promise of transforming eye color without the need for surgery or contact lenses. While the idea might seem appealing, experts in the field of ophthalmology are....

05/10/2024

VIDEO: Seeing is Believing: Real Patients Share Their 5-Star Experiences at Belmont Eye Center

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 We're absolutely thrilled to share this video featuring some of our incredible patients and their 5-star experiences at Belmont Eye Center! Your t...

05/06/2024

Gene Therapy Breakthrough: New Hope For Inherited Blindness

In a groundbreaking development, a pioneering gene therapy has demonstrated significant improvements in the vision of individuals afflicted with Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a rare genetic condition causing blindness from birth. This remarkable progress emerged from an early-stage clinical tria...

05/01/2024

Video: Unlock the Mystery of Your Vision: The Surprising Truth About Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)

🔍 Are you or someone you know constantly battling with headaches, dizziness, or reading difficulties? It might not be what you think! Dive deep with us at B...

04/26/2024

The Dangers Of Excessive Screen Time For Young Children: Insights From Belmont Eye Center

In today’s digital age, screens are an integral part of our daily lives. From smartphones to tablets and computers, the digital world offers endless possibilities for learning, entertainment, and communication. However, for young children, excessive screen time can pose significant risks to their ...

04/24/2024

Beyond The Horizon: Unraveling The Long-Term Benefits Of Alcohol-Assisted LASIK

In the realm of vision correction surgery, LASIK has long been celebrated for its ability to transform lives through the gift of improved sight. Among its various iterations, Alcohol-Assisted LASIK emerges as a fascinating subject due to its unique approach and the promising long-term benefits it of...

04/22/2024

Happy Earth Day!

04/19/2024

Unveiling The Spectrum Of LASIK Techniques: A Closer Look At Alcohol-Assisted Refinement

At Belmont Eye Center, we are committed to offering state-of-the-art eye care solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient. Among the plethora of vision correction procedures we specialize in, LASIK stands out as a beacon of innovation and precision. LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ K...

04/17/2024

Understanding The Causes Of Dry Eyes: Insights From Belmont Eye Center

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, leading to discomfort, irritation, and sometimes blurred vision. At Belmont Eye Center, we’re dedicated to providing our patients with comprehensive eye care information, including insights into the causes of dry eye...

04/15/2024

Navigating The Complex World Of Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)

In recent times, the spotlight has turned to a relatively underrecognized condition that affects an estimated 1 in 7 people: Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD). Characterized by a range of symptoms including headaches, dizziness, anxiety, and difficulties with reading and driving, BVD stems from a m...