Gail Lane, a 75-year-old from Victoria, British Columbia, has regained her vision after being blind for 10 years thanks to an extraordinary surgery rarely performed in Canada. Known medically as osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis, or “tooth-in-eye” surgery, the procedure involved using one of Gail’s own teeth as a framework for a new artificial cornea.
Her blindness was caused by scarring on her corneas, a complication from an autoimmune disorder. In February, Gail became one of the first three Canadians to undergo this complex surgery at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital in Vancouver under the care of Dr. Greg Moloney.
The operation happens in stages: first, a tooth is carefully removed and implanted in the patient’s cheek to grow supportive tissue over months. Then, the tooth is fitted with a tiny plastic lens and transplanted into the eye socket, replacing the damaged cornea.
Six months after the procedure, Gail describes seeing colors, trees, flowers, and even starting to recognize faces, including her partner’s—someone she has never seen due to her blindness. She is thrilled with her progress and hopeful for increased independence, like taking short walks without assistance.
Though the recovery is gradual, Gail says the experience has been “long but well worth it.” She’s now preparing for a new pair of glasses and looks forward to seeing her own face for the first time in years.
This pioneering surgery offers hope to many suffering from severe corneal blindness worldwide, marking a remarkable medical milestone in Canada.
