A groundbreaking surgical technique has restored the vision of a 75-year-old Canadian woman in what is being hailed as a first for the country. Gail Lane, who lost her sight a decade ago due to an autoimmune disorder, is now seeing the world again — thanks to a procedure that uses a patient’s own tooth as the foundation for an artificial cornea.
A Decade in Darkness Ends
Lane’s blindness was caused by severe scarring of the corneas, leaving her dependent on others for mobility and daily tasks. According to a report by CBC, her life changed after undergoing osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis, often referred to as “tooth-in-eye” surgery. The complex operation, performed at Vancouver’s Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, involves using a tooth to anchor a plastic lens directly into the eye.
The journey to sight was gradual. In the weeks after surgery, Lane first noticed faint light, followed by the wagging tail of Piper, her partner’s service dog. “I can see lots of colour and I can see outside now,” she told CBC. “The trees and the grass and flowers — it’s a wonderful feeling to see those things again.”
How a Tooth Becomes an Eye’s Anchor
Ophthalmologist Dr. Greg Moloney, who introduced the technique to Canada after its success overseas, explained that the tooth provides a stable, biocompatible structure to hold a lens. The process begins with extracting a tooth, implanting it in the patient’s cheek for several months to allow connective tissue growth, then transferring it — along with the tissue — into the eye socket. The lens is embedded in the tooth, creating a new optical pathway for vision.
“It’s a complex and unusual operation, but essentially, we’re replacing the cornea,” Moloney said. “We need a structure that’s strong enough to hold the lens and won’t be rejected by the body.”
Seeing Loved Ones for the First Time
For Lane, the surgery has been deeply personal. She met her partner, Phil, after losing her sight, and is now seeing his face for the first time. “I’m starting to see facial features on other people as well, which is pretty exciting,” she shared.
Although she is still adapting and hopes glasses will further improve her vision, Lane says the procedure was worth every challenge. “I’m looking forward to more mobility and independence,” she said. “I just need to be patient and let my brain adjust.”
This extraordinary surgery not only marks a medical milestone but also opens new possibilities for people worldwide who have lost their sight due to corneal damage. For Lane, it has turned a decade of darkness into a future full of colour, movement, and newfound freedom.
A Decade in Darkness Ends
Lane’s blindness was caused by severe scarring of the corneas, leaving her dependent on others for mobility and daily tasks. According to a report by CBC, her life changed after undergoing osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis, often referred to as “tooth-in-eye” surgery. The complex operation, performed at Vancouver’s Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, involves using a tooth to anchor a plastic lens directly into the eye.
The journey to sight was gradual. In the weeks after surgery, Lane first noticed faint light, followed by the wagging tail of Piper, her partner’s service dog. “I can see lots of colour and I can see outside now,” she told CBC. “The trees and the grass and flowers — it’s a wonderful feeling to see those things again.”
A Canadian woman had a tooth implanted in her eye to restore her vision
— Based & Viral (@ViralBased) August 13, 2025
75-year-old Gail Lane lost her sight ten years ago due to an autoimmune disease that left deep scars on her cornea, New York Post reports. She became one of three people in Canada to undergo a rare procedure… pic.twitter.com/bJmprVwo0M
How a Tooth Becomes an Eye’s Anchor
Ophthalmologist Dr. Greg Moloney, who introduced the technique to Canada after its success overseas, explained that the tooth provides a stable, biocompatible structure to hold a lens. The process begins with extracting a tooth, implanting it in the patient’s cheek for several months to allow connective tissue growth, then transferring it — along with the tissue — into the eye socket. The lens is embedded in the tooth, creating a new optical pathway for vision.
“It’s a complex and unusual operation, but essentially, we’re replacing the cornea,” Moloney said. “We need a structure that’s strong enough to hold the lens and won’t be rejected by the body.”
Seeing Loved Ones for the First Time
For Lane, the surgery has been deeply personal. She met her partner, Phil, after losing her sight, and is now seeing his face for the first time. “I’m starting to see facial features on other people as well, which is pretty exciting,” she shared.
Although she is still adapting and hopes glasses will further improve her vision, Lane says the procedure was worth every challenge. “I’m looking forward to more mobility and independence,” she said. “I just need to be patient and let my brain adjust.”
This extraordinary surgery not only marks a medical milestone but also opens new possibilities for people worldwide who have lost their sight due to corneal damage. For Lane, it has turned a decade of darkness into a future full of colour, movement, and newfound freedom.
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