𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐲𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
🦷 In a groundbreaking medical procedure, a Canadian man underwent the "tooth-in-eye" surgery, officially known as osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), to restore his sight after years of blindness caused by Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
👀 This procedure is primarily reserved for patients with severe corneal blindness resulting from conditions such as chemical burns, autoimmune disorders, or multiple failed corneal transplants, where traditional treatments are not viable.
Procedure Overview:
👁 Tooth Preparation: A single-rooted tooth, often a canine, is extracted along with a surrounding segment of bone and tissue.
👁 Implant Development: The tooth and bone segment are shaped to create a disc-like structure with a hole drilled through the centre. A biocompatible optical cylinder is then inserted into this hole, forming the core of the prosthetic lens.
👁 Integration Phase: The prepared tooth-bone-cylinder complex is implanted under the skin of the patient's cheek for several months. During this period, it develops a blood supply, integrating with surrounding tissues.
👁 Implantation: After sufficient integration, the complex is surgically transferred to the eye, replacing the damaged cornea. The optical cylinder allows light to enter the eye, restoring vision.
👨⚕️ The patient underwent this procedure at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital in Vancouver under the guidance of Dr. Greg Moloney. This case was notable as one of Canada's first applications of OOKP. After the surgery, he regained his sight, marking a significant improvement in his quality of life.
👏 While OOKP offers hope for patients with severe corneal blindness, it is a highly complex procedure with potential risks, including implant rejection and glaucoma. The surgery requires careful patient selection and a multidisciplinary medical team. The success of this case may pave the way for establishing OOKP clinics in Canada, providing more patients with access to this innovative treatment.