An eye for a…tooth? This man’s bizarre surgery seems like something out of the movies.
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Imagine regaining the gift of sight through one of your own teeth.
It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but for Brent Chapman, a Canadian man who has been blind for years, it's a reality that's within arm's reach.
Chapman is about to undergo a rare and innovative surgery known as osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (OOKP), which could restore his vision using a piece of his own tooth.
Brent Chapman's journey to this moment has been long and fraught with challenges.
After losing his sight due to a severe reaction to medication at the age of 13, he has endured over 50 surgeries in the past two decades, each offering a glimmer of hope that was eventually extinguished as his sight would fade away once more.
The emotional rollercoaster of temporary partial sight followed by darkness plunged Chapman into periods of deep depression.
However, Chapman's indomitable spirit has led him to a groundbreaking procedure that could change his life forever.
The OOKP surgery, which is being performed for the first time in Canadian history at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital in Vancouver, has the potential to not only restore Chapman's sight but also pave the way for a specialized clinic dedicated to this unique treatment.
The OOKP procedure is as fascinating as it is complex. It involves creating an artificial cornea using the patient's own tooth.
A tooth is extracted, carefully shaped into a rectangle, and a hole is drilled to accommodate a plastic optical lens.
This tooth-lens construct is then implanted into the patient's cheek for about three months, allowing it to develop a layer of connective tissue.
Once this stage is complete, the tooth is ready to be sutured into the eye.
The eye is prepared by removing the damaged iris and lens and replacing the top layer of the eye's surface with a soft tissue graft.
A small opening is left in the graft so that the patient can see through the new lens.
The choice of a tooth for this procedure is not as bizarre as it might initially seem.
Teeth contain dentin, which is remarkably compatible with housing a plastic lens without being rejected by the body. This biocompatibility is crucial for the success of the implant.
As with any surgery, especially one as delicate as OOKP, there are risks involved.
The possibility of infection is a concern that could lead to a complete loss of vision. However, the potential rewards for those suffering from corneal blindness are significant.
Source: CTV News / Youtube.
This condition, which can result from autoimmune diseases, trauma, or chemical burns, affects the front of the eyes but leaves the retina and optic nerves intact.
OOKP has a 94 percent success rate in the 10 countries where it has been performed before Dr. Greg Moloney introduced it to Canada.
For Chapman, the first stage of the procedure has gone smoothly, and he awaits the next step with cautious optimism.
If successful, he could join the ranks of individuals who have regained their sight through this extraordinary surgery, like the Australian woman who, after 20 years of blindness, is now able to enjoy snow skiing.
Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges with vision loss? What do you think about using one's own tooth to restore sight? Your insights and stories are valuable to us, so please join the conversation in the comments below!
It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but for Brent Chapman, a Canadian man who has been blind for years, it's a reality that's within arm's reach.
Chapman is about to undergo a rare and innovative surgery known as osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (OOKP), which could restore his vision using a piece of his own tooth.
Brent Chapman's journey to this moment has been long and fraught with challenges.
After losing his sight due to a severe reaction to medication at the age of 13, he has endured over 50 surgeries in the past two decades, each offering a glimmer of hope that was eventually extinguished as his sight would fade away once more.
The emotional rollercoaster of temporary partial sight followed by darkness plunged Chapman into periods of deep depression.
A blind Canadian man named Brent Chapman is set to have his tooth implanted into his eye. Image source: CTV News / Youtube.
However, Chapman's indomitable spirit has led him to a groundbreaking procedure that could change his life forever.
The OOKP surgery, which is being performed for the first time in Canadian history at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital in Vancouver, has the potential to not only restore Chapman's sight but also pave the way for a specialized clinic dedicated to this unique treatment.
The OOKP procedure is as fascinating as it is complex. It involves creating an artificial cornea using the patient's own tooth.
A tooth is extracted, carefully shaped into a rectangle, and a hole is drilled to accommodate a plastic optical lens.
This tooth-lens construct is then implanted into the patient's cheek for about three months, allowing it to develop a layer of connective tissue.
Once this stage is complete, the tooth is ready to be sutured into the eye.
The eye is prepared by removing the damaged iris and lens and replacing the top layer of the eye's surface with a soft tissue graft.
A small opening is left in the graft so that the patient can see through the new lens.
The choice of a tooth for this procedure is not as bizarre as it might initially seem.
Teeth contain dentin, which is remarkably compatible with housing a plastic lens without being rejected by the body. This biocompatibility is crucial for the success of the implant.
As with any surgery, especially one as delicate as OOKP, there are risks involved.
The possibility of infection is a concern that could lead to a complete loss of vision. However, the potential rewards for those suffering from corneal blindness are significant.
Source: CTV News / Youtube.
This condition, which can result from autoimmune diseases, trauma, or chemical burns, affects the front of the eyes but leaves the retina and optic nerves intact.
OOKP has a 94 percent success rate in the 10 countries where it has been performed before Dr. Greg Moloney introduced it to Canada.
For Chapman, the first stage of the procedure has gone smoothly, and he awaits the next step with cautious optimism.
If successful, he could join the ranks of individuals who have regained their sight through this extraordinary surgery, like the Australian woman who, after 20 years of blindness, is now able to enjoy snow skiing.
Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges with vision loss? What do you think about using one's own tooth to restore sight? Your insights and stories are valuable to us, so please join the conversation in the comments below!
