For the 1st time in Canada, surgeons put teeth in patients’ eyes to restore sight

Surgeons in Canada are now performing a groundbreaking procedure that involves embedding a patient’s own tooth in their eye to restore sight. This procedure, known as osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (OOKP) or tooth-in-eye surgery, has never been done in Canada before, making it a historic moment for the country.

The idea may sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but for patients like Brent Chapman, who has been blind in both eyes for years, it offers a glimmer of hope. Chapman, a North Vancouver resident, was initially apprehensive about the procedure but was inspired by the success stories of others who have undergone the surgery, like a woman from Australia who went from being blind for 20 years to skiing.

The surgery involves removing a patient’s tooth, typically a canine, and implanting a plastic optical lens inside it before placing the whole structure into the eye. Dr. Greg Moloney, an ophthalmologist and surgeon at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital in Vancouver, explains that using a tooth as a casing for the lens is ideal because of the dentine, the hardest substance produced by the body, reducing the risk of rejection.

While the surgery is not a cure-all for every vision problem, it is specifically designed for individuals with severe corneal blindness caused by conditions such as autoimmune diseases or chemical burns. It is often considered a last resort when other treatment options have failed.

The procedure involves two surgeries performed several months apart. During the first surgery, the tooth is prepared, the eye is cleared of scar tissue, and the tooth-encased lens is implanted in the patient’s cheek to allow new tissue to grow around it. In the second surgery, the tooth is sewn into the front of the eye, resulting in a pink-colored eye with improved vision.

Though the surgery is not without risks, with the possibility of infection and loss of vision, it has been performed successfully in several countries with a high success rate. A recent study found that 94% of patients could still see 27 years after the surgery, highlighting its long-term effectiveness.

For patients like Chapman, who have experienced multiple surgeries and temporary improvements in vision, the prospect of restored sight is life-changing. With the establishment of Canada’s first OOKP clinic at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, more patients will have access to this innovative procedure without the need to travel abroad for treatment.

Chapman is hopeful that these surgeries will be his last and looks forward to activities like basketball and traveling that he once enjoyed. He is grateful to Dr. Moloney and everyone involved in making the surgery possible, hoping that it will pave the way for others in Canada who may benefit from this groundbreaking procedure.