Meet the Man With a 123-Year-Old Cornea
An 80-year-old Norwegian man named Bernt Aune "had a cornea transplanted into his right eye in 1958, from a man born in June 1885. At the time it was expected to work for only 5 years," reports a New Scientist blog, which also wonders if the antique eye might only see in black and white. The cornea is still kicking 50 years later, making it the oldest functioning organ around.
As boomers age and replacements for body parts grow more and more common, I'm looking forward to some Ship of Theseus problems. Is dad still the same guy if his hip, back, corneas, and knee joints have all been replaced? Sure. But one can only hope that one day we'll really be stumped by a continually existing fellow with 123-year-old corneas and none of his original parts.
No word on how eyeball bling effects cornea longevity.
Via Instapundit
