A man who regained his vision after 20 years has shared his story following a remarkable surgery involving a tooth.
Brent Chapman underwent a procedure known as ‘tooth-in-eye’ surgery, or osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis, earlier this year in Canada. This makes him one of the few individuals to have experienced this unique operation.
The procedure, which dates back to the 1960s, involves removing a tooth from the patient’s mouth and implanting it into their cheek. Over several months, this tooth becomes covered by connective tissue.
Subsequently, the tooth is extracted, and a lens is inserted into it. The connective tissue helps secure the lens as both the tooth and lens are carefully stitched into the patient’s eye socket.
Dr. Greg Moloney, from Mount Saint Joseph Hospital in Vancouver, explained, “We need a structure that is strong enough to hold onto the plastic focusing telescope, but is not going to be rejected by the body.”
Chapman’s vision was normal until he was 13, when he experienced a severe reaction to ibuprofen following a basketball game. This triggered Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare auto-immune condition.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), as described by the Mayo Clinic, is a “rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes” often caused by a reaction to medication. It usually begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful and spreading rash. The affected skin’s top layer eventually dies, sheds, and starts to heal over time.
Following this disorder, Chapman suffered from burns all over his body, including his eyes, and his vision did not recover.
Throughout his journey, Chapman underwent 50 unsuccessful procedures before the ‘tooth-in-eye’ surgery proved effective.
“I feel fantastic. Vision comes back and … it’s a whole new world,” he shared with ABC 7. In an emotional account to CBS Chicago, Chapman recounted how he wept upon seeing the surgeon for the first time.
“When Dr. Moloney and I made eye contact, we both just burst into tears … I hadn’t really made eye contact in 20 years,” he recounted.
“I feel fantastic. Vision comes back and … it’s a whole new world,” Chapman reiterated to ABC 7. His father, Phil Chapman, reflected, “We always said to Brent that we would go anywhere, do anything to keep his vision, and here we are.”
Chapman is now eager to spend more time with his family and explore the world around him.