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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]
2 clusters · 21 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated
Categories: HEALTH
Italian eye autotransplant shows functional recovery
Entities: Molinette Hospital · Joe (guide dog) · Professor Michele Reibaldi · Elena · Prof. Michele Reibaldi
Overview
In late July 2026 surgeons at Molinette Hospital in Torino performed the world’s first complete autotransplant of an eye, moving the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva and, for the first time, the central retina (macula) from one eye to the other of a 67‑year‑old patient, Elena, who had been blind for over five years after a traffic accident. The six‑hour operation, led by Professor Michele Reibaldi and carried out under the umbrella of the Città della Salute e della Scienza network, transferred a block of healthy tissue from Elena’s non‑functioning left eye—where the optic nerve had been destroyed—to her damaged right eye, whose retina and cornea were severely compromised.
Early postoperative checks confirmed graft integration and Elena could recognise her son. Subsequent examinations reported that her vision progressed from black‑and‑white to colour, enabling her to recognise her grandson and her longtime guide dog, Joe, who even stayed with her in the hospital ward. Physicians will continue long‑term monitoring of the transplanted retina to assess durability.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 14 SOURCES] An autotransplant of the anterior segment and central retina (macula) from one eye to the other was performed for the first time in medical history. (multiple sources)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The surgery was carried out at Molinette Hospital, Città della Salute e della Scienza in Turin. (multiple sources)
- [● 14 SOURCES] Professor Michele Reibaldi led the surgical team. (multiple sources)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The patient, Elena, 67, regained sight after more than five years of total blindness. (multiple sources)
- [● 14 SOURCES] Elena lost vision after a traffic accident that irreversibly damaged the optic nerve of her left eye and severely injured the retina of her right eye. (multiple sources)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The transplanted tissue included cornea, sclera, conjunctiva and the macula. (multiple sources)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The operation lasted about six hours. (multiple sources)
- [● 14 SOURCES] Elena’s guide dog, Joe, was allowed to stay with her in the hospital. (multiple sources)
Timeline
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about 23 hours ago
[HEALTH] 17 sourcesMolinette Hospital in Turin performs world‑first eye autotransplant, restoring sight to ElenaAt Molinette Hospital in Turin, surgeons led by Prof. Michele Reibaldi performed the first autotransplant of an eye’s anterior segment and macula, restoring sight to 67‑year‑old Elena after five years of total‑
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3 days ago
[HEALTH] 4 sourcesTorino doctors perform world's first full eye autotransplantTorino surgeons performed the world’s first full eye autotransplant, using tissue from a non‑functional eye to restore vision in a 67‑year‑old patient, with early results showing promising visual recovery.
Sources
95047.it · adnKronos.com · bigodino.it · dayitalianews.com · debrugternat.be · dilei.it · fanpage.it · ilfattonisseno.it · ilfattoquotidiano.it · insalutenews.it · mondo.rs · notizieaudaci.it · obiettivonews.it · panoramasanita.it · periodicodaily.com · punto-informatico.it · quotidianodibari.it · quotidianopiemontese.it · sardegnalive.net · traniviva.it · unionesarda.it
This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history