Tooth in Eye Surgery: How Teeth Are Helping Restore Vision
Imagine waking up one morning and realizing the world around you is gone. Your eye can not see any colors, no shapes, no light, just endless darkness. For people living with severe corneal disease or trauma, this is reality. They lose the ability to see the faces of their loved ones, the glow of a sunset, or even the pages of a book.
But what if the solution to blindness came from something as unlikely as a tooth? This is the extraordinary story of Tooth in Eye Surgery, a medical breakthrough that sounds like science fiction but is changing lives. Officially called osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), this procedure uses a patient’s own tooth to restore their Vision. It is one of the most remarkable examples of how science, technology, and human ingenuity can come together to fight blindness.
What Is Tooth in Eye Surgery?
Tooth-in-Eye Surgery is not your average eye procedure. Known as OOKP, it involves removing one of the patient’s teeth, usually a canine, along with some surrounding bone. That tooth is then shaped to hold a tiny optical cylinder made of plastic. This tooth-lens unit is later implanted into the patient’s eye to act as an artificial cornea.
The process is complex and usually done in two stages. First, the tooth-lens structure is implanted in the patient’s cheek, where it develops a blood supply and tissue covering. After a few months, it is carefully transplanted into the Eye, replacing the scarred or damaged cornea. Once in place, light can enter through the optical cylinder and reach the retina, restoring functional Vision.
This procedure is reserved for patients whose Eyes are so damaged that no other surgery can help. It is not a first-line treatment, but rather a last chance for those who are completely blind from corneal disease.
Who Can Perform It?
Because of its complexity, Tooth-in-Eye Surgery can only be performed by highly trained, multidisciplinary teams. It often involves ophthalmologists, oral surgeons, prosthodontists, anesthesiologists, and even psychologists to ensure the patient is a good candidate.
It is performed in specialized centers worldwide. Only a handful of surgeons are skilled in the OOKP technique, making it a rare but powerful option for the right patients.
What Does It Cure?
OOKP is designed for patients who are blind due to severe corneal and ocular surface disease. Common conditions treated include:
- Severe chemical or thermal burns to the Eyes
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid
- End-stage dry eye disease
- Trachoma
- Multiple failed corneal transplants
These are patients who have lost hope with other treatments. For them, Tooth-in-Eye Surgery is often the only pathway back to light and Vision.
Stories of Success: When Science Restores Sight
A Canadian Breakthrough
Recently, a landmark case made headlines: a blind Canadian man, Brent Chapman, received one of Canada’s first-ever OOKP procedures at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital according to the New York Post. Doctors extracted a tooth, embedded a plastic lens into it, and implanted it in his cheek to form supportive tissue. A few months later, that tooth-lens structure was transplanted into his eye, allowing light to pass through, bringing hope and Vision to a man blind for decades.
His story is one of perseverance, a patient who had already endured 50 surgeries over 20 years, hoping this time, things would be different. And for him and others, it has been. One success story that inspired him was an Australian woman, blind for 20 years, who is now snow skiing.
A Canadian Woman Reclaims Her World
Another powerful case: Gail Lane, a 75-year-old Canadian blind for a decade due to corneal scarring, regained her vision through OOKP. Suddenly, she could see her partner’s face, her dog’s tail, and the evening light, marking a historic moment in Canadian medicine.
Global Reach, High Success
Worldwide, over 4,500 OOKP surgeries have been performed and success rates hover between an astounding 88% and 94% . One Italian study tracked patients 27 years post-surgery, with 94% still retaining functional Vision New York PostMya Care.
The Science Behind the Miracle
What makes Tooth-in-Eye Surgery so unique is its use of the patient’s own Teeth and tissue. By using the body’s own material, the risk of rejection is greatly reduced compared to artificial implants.
The tooth provides a stable structure to anchor the lens, and the bone helps integrate the device with the surrounding tissue. This biological compatibility is what allows OOKP to succeed where other methods fail.
Advancements in surgical technique have made the procedure safer and more predictable. The modified version of the procedure, known as MOOKP, standardizes the steps and uses refined lenses for clearer Vision.
Cool Scientific Facts About Tooth-in-Eye Surgery
- Teeth Are Stronger Than Bone
Human teeth are the hardest substance in the body, making them ideal for supporting the lens implant. - Cheek Incubation
Before the tooth-lens is placed in the Eye, it spends months in the patient’s cheek to grow new blood vessels and tissue. - Long-Term Success
Unlike corneal transplants, which may fail after a few years, OOKP can last for decades with proper care. - Life-Changing Vision
Patients often go from total blindness to being able to read, watch television, and recognize faces. - Personalized Implant
Each prosthetic is built from the patient’s own tooth, making it uniquely tailored to them.
Why Regular Eye Exams Are Essential
While Tooth-in-Eye Surgery is inspiring, it should serve as a reminder of how fragile our Eyes truly are. For most people, the best way to preserve Vision is not through dramatic surgery, but through prevention.
Changes in eye health often happen silently. Conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy can cause irreversible damage long before symptoms appear. That is why it is critical to see an optometrist regularly. Frequent visits allow doctors to detect subtle changes, catch abnormal findings early, and prevent small problems from becoming major threats to your Vision.
Routine eye exams are about more than just updating a prescription. They are life-saving screenings that protect your Eyes for the future.
A Call to Action: Protect Your Vision at Optical Illusions
While tooth-in-eye surgery is extraordinary, it’s also a last resort. The truth is, most threats to your Eyes and Vision can be caught and often prevented through something far simpler: a routine eye exam.
Too often, changes in eye health happen quietly, without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. Conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and even subtle corneal changes can progress unnoticed. That’s why seeing an optometrist regularly is crucial. With frequent visits, small abnormalities can be identified early, giving you the best chance to preserve your Vision for life.
- Expert Fitting
Our Board-Certified Optometrists ensure your contacts and glasses fit comfortably and correctly, tailored to your lifestyle and prescription needs. - High-Quality Lenses
We provide only the best lenses to give you clear, sharp Vision while protecting your Eyes from strain and potential damage. - Comprehensive Eye Exams
Our exams go beyond just checking how well you can see. We evaluate your overall eye health, watching for the earliest signs of disease or abnormal findings so you can prevent problems before they become serious.
Prevention First
Frequent visits to your optometrist help track even subtle changes in your Eyes, ensuring that potential issues are detected early and addressed before they threaten your Vision.
Personalized, Lasting Care
At Optical Illusions: An Optometric Practice, we believe everyone deserves to see clearly and enjoy long-term eye health. Our comprehensive exams include screenings for ocular risk, advanced diagnostic imaging, and personalized care plans tailored just for you.
Schedule your appointment at 1 of our 4 conveniently located offices in San Jose, San Mateo, San Ramon, and Juneau.
