In a shocking incident, a team of Canadian doctors have performed a rare and innovative procedure known as “tooth-in-eye” surgery on a woman hoping to regain her vision.
Performed at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital in Vancouver, this marks Canada’s first reported case of the procedure, as per a report by NDTV. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that the procedure involves implanting a lens within the patient’s tooth to create a new, functional cornea.
According to the doctors, the procedure is performed in two stages. In the first stage, doctors extracted one of woman’s teeth, shaped it, and inserted a plastic lens. Then, this modified tooth was then implanted in her cheek for three months, allowing it to develop the necessary supporting tissue.
Dr Moloney explained to the media outlet that this step is crucial because the tooth lacks the natural connective tissue required for direct implantation into the eye. Simultaneously, the woman’s eye was prepared by removing its surface layer and replacing it with a tissue graft from her cheek, which will heal before the tooth implant.
The hospital shared news of the surgery on Facebook, highlighting the groundbreaking nature of the procedure. Dr. Moloney also emphasised that this procedure isn’t a universal solution for all vision problems.
According to the doctors, this procedure is specifically designed for individuals with severe corneal blindness caused by conjunctival scarring from autoimmune diseases, chemical burns, or other traumas. However, candidates must have a healthy retina and optic nerves for the surgery to be effective.