75-year-old woman regains vision through her tooth with first-of-its-kind surgery after 10 years of darkness
In Canada, Gail Lane, a 75-year-old woman, regained her sight after a decade. Doctors used her own tooth to create an artificial cornea. The innovative surgery, osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis, was successful. Lane can now see colors and objects. She is seeing her partner's face for the first time. This medical achievement offers hope for others with corneal damage.
iStock A 75-year-old Canadian woman, blind for a decade due to corneal scarring, has regained her sight through a groundbreaking "tooth-in-eye" surgery. The procedure, osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis, uses her own tooth to anchor a plastic lens, creating a new optical pathway. (Representational image: iStock) A groundbreaking surgical technique has restored the vision of a 75-year-old Canadian woman in what is being hailed as a first for the country. Gail Lane, who lost her sight a decade ago due to an autoimmune disorder, is now seeing the world again — thanks to a procedure that uses a patient's own tooth as the foundation for an artificial cornea. Lane's blindness was caused by severe scarring of the corneas, leaving her dependent on others for mobility and daily tasks. According to a report by CBC, her life changed after undergoing osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis, often referred to as 'tooth-in-eye' surgery. The complex operation, performed at Vancouver's Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, involves using a tooth to anchor a plastic lens directly into the eye.
The journey to sight was gradual. In the weeks after surgery, Lane first noticed faint light, followed by the wagging tail of Piper, her partner's service dog. 'I can see lots of colour and I can see outside now,' she told CBC. 'The trees and the grass and flowers — it's a wonderful feeling to see those things again.' — ViralBased (@ViralBased)
Ophthalmologist Dr. Greg Moloney, who introduced the technique to Canada after its success overseas, explained that the tooth provides a stable, biocompatible structure to hold a lens. The process begins with extracting a tooth, implanting it in the patient's cheek for several months to allow connective tissue growth, then transferring it — along with the tissue — into the eye socket. The lens is embedded in the tooth, creating a new optical pathway for vision. 'It's a complex and unusual operation, but essentially, we're replacing the cornea,' Moloney said. 'We need a structure that's strong enough to hold the lens and won't be rejected by the body.'
For Lane, the surgery has been deeply personal. She met her partner, Phil, after losing her sight, and is now seeing his face for the first time. 'I'm starting to see facial features on other people as well, which is pretty exciting,' she shared. Although she is still adapting and hopes glasses will further improve her vision, Lane says the procedure was worth every challenge. 'I'm looking forward to more mobility and independence,' she said. 'I just need to be patient and let my brain adjust.' This extraordinary surgery not only marks a medical milestone but also opens new possibilities for people worldwide who have lost their sight due to corneal damage. For Lane, it has turned a decade of darkness into a future full of colour, movement, and newfound freedom.
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