Canadian Woman Can Finally See… Through Her Tooth?

By Orgesta Tolaj

14 August 2025

Seventy-five-year-old Gail Lane had believed her vision was lost forever. It disappeared after a rare immune reaction ravaged her corneas more than ten years ago, and she thought she would never see again.

Then, an experimental yet astonishing surgical procedure offered hope—one that would literally put her sight “within reach”—by implanting her own tooth into her eye. She is among the first to undergo the operation in Canada, and astonishingly, she can now—bit by bit—see again.

How the “Tooth-in-Eye” Technique Works

The complex procedure, known as osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), unfolds in two major stages.

The first involves extracting a canine tooth, drilling a hole into it, and embedding a tiny lens. Surgeons then implant the tooth into the cheek where, over around three months, it collects tissue that allows it to safely integrate with eye structures during the second phase. That second surgery anchors the tooth over the eye’s surface, with a small opening in a skin flap acting as the new seeing window.

Canada Marks a Medical Milestone: Can She Actually See?

Performed by Dr. Greg Moloney and his team in Vancouver, this surgery represents a significant leap forward in ophthalmology—especially given its rare, intricate nature.

Such operations have been done elsewhere, but Lane’s surgery made Canada’s Mount Saint Joseph Hospital one of only a handful of places offering this procedure. She was joined by two other patients in this pioneering cohort.

Slowly, Light Returns

Lane’s vision didn’t return overnight, but progress unfolded beautifully. After surgery, she first saw light, then vague silhouettes, and later, the wagging tail of her partner’s guide dog, Piper—it was the first living form she had seen in over a decade.

Plants, flowers, cars, buildings, and shadows followed. Most profoundly, she could recognize her partner’s face. It was a deep emotional reconnection after years of darkness.

A Technically Demanding Procedure with Great Rewards: She Can Now See Clearly

Because of its complexity, OOKP surgery has rarely been attempted—even globally.

The use of a tooth as a biological support structure minimizes rejection and works better than synthetic alternatives for patients with healthy internal eye structures. A fellow patient in the group regained vision quickly, though later required minor correction. Overall, the medical team finds the emotional payoff—from renewed sight to regained independence—powerfully rewarding.