Portable device could make functional eye transplants a reality

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Portable device could make functional eye transplants a reality
By Ben Coxworth
August 18, 2025

Portable device could make functional eye transplants a reality

Despite what some movies may suggest, it's currently impossible to transplant functional, seeing human eyeballs. Scientists are taking a big step in that direction, however, with the development of an eye-transplant device known as the eye-ECMO.

newatlas.com

Despite what some movies may suggest, it's currently impossible to transplant functional, seeing human eyeballs. Scientists are taking a big step in that direction, however, with the development of an eye-transplant device known as the eye-ECMO.

First of all, we should note that it is possible to transplant non-functional eyes into empty eye sockets for aesthetic purposes, such as during face transplants. Unfortunately, however, those eyes are incapable of seeing.

This is due mainly to the fact that eyes require a constant supply of oxygenated blood, which is difficult to supply after an eye has been removed from a donor's body. If that flow of oxygen ceases for even a short time, the eye's retina will permanently cease to function.

This is a good way to restore ones vision or if you lose an eye you could one day get a new one.