Canadian Woman Regains Sight After Decade of Blindness Through Innovative 'Tooth-in-Eye' Surgery

A 75-year-old woman from Victoria, British Columbia, who lost her vision due to an autoimmune disorder, has regained her sight after undergoing a rare procedure known as osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), commonly called "tooth-in-eye" surgery. Gail Lane, blind for 10 years from corneal scarring, can now see colors, faces, and everyday objects following the operation performed in February at Vancouver's Mount Saint Joseph Hospital. This marks one of Canada's first successful cases of the surgery, offering hope for patients with severe corneal damage where traditional transplants fail.

The surgery, pioneered in Canada by ophthalmologist Dr. Greg Moloney, involves extracting a patient's tooth—typically a canine—and implanting it into their cheek for several months to allow connective tissue growth. Once integrated, the tooth is removed, drilled to fit a small optical lens, and then sutured into the eye socket as a biological scaffold for the new cornea.

This approach minimizes rejection risks since it uses autologous (the patient's own) tissue, making it ideal for cases involving burns, severe eye diseases, or autoimmune conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which may have contributed to Lane's corneal damage.

Lane's recovery unfolded progressively: initially perceiving light, then movement, and eventually details like her partner's service dog Piper's wagging tail. Nearly six months post-surgery, she saw her partner Phil's face for the first time, having met him after losing her sight.

The neural adaptation plays a key role here; Lane emphasized the need for patience as her brain readjusts to visual input after a decade, a process that can involve neuroplasticity and may benefit from rehabilitative therapies. She now independently selects outfits, reducing reliance on apps like Be My Eyes, and anticipates sharper vision with new glasses.

While the procedure and healing were described as uncomfortable rather than painful, Lane highlighted the lengthy wait and adjustment period. "It's been a long wait, but well worth it," she said.

This surgery, performed by only a few specialists worldwide, underscores the importance of multidisciplinary teams involving oral surgeons and ophthalmologists.

Developed internationally for extreme corneal blindness cases, OOKP was first brought to Canada by Dr. Moloney at Providence Health Care's Mount Saint Joseph Hospital. Lane was among the initial three patients, all experiencing positive results.

The autoimmune disorder that scarred her corneas made standard transplants unviable, aligning with the surgery's target demographic. For health professionals, this procedure highlights advancements in regenerative medicine, where biological materials outperform synthetics in immune-challenged patients, potentially inspiring further research into bioengineered corneas. As Lane regains independence for short walks and daily activities, her story illustrates the profound impact of such innovations on quality of life.

(Rh/Eth/MKB/TL)