Using a tooth in eye surgery might sound unusual, but it’s a real and innovative medical procedure known as Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP).
This surgery is used to restore vision in patients with severe corneal blindness where other options like transplants haven't worked.
The Process:
A tooth, usually a canine (eye tooth), and some jawbone are removed from the patient.
The tooth and bone are sculpted to create a small, hollow cylinder.
A synthetic lens is implanted into the cylinder.
The tooth-and-lens structure is placed under the patient's skin in their cheek for a few months while new blood vessels grow into it.
Finally, the structure is implanted in the patient's eye, replacing the damaged cornea and restoring vision.
Why a Tooth?
The tooth provides several benefits:
Strong and Stable: The tooth provides a strong and biocompatible base for the lens implant.
Blood Supply: The jawbone tissue helps promote blood vessel growth into the implant, crucial for its survival.
This surgery is a remarkable feat of science, combining a natural material like a tooth with advanced techniques to restore vision, offering hope to patients with severe corneal blindness.
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