Martin Jones, a 42-year-old builder was left blind after an accident at work more than a decade ago. But a remarkable operation – which implants part of his tooth in his eye – has now pierced his world of darkness.
The procedure, performed fewer than 50 times before in Britain, uses the segment of tooth as a holder for a new lens grafted from his skin. A living tooth is required as an implant because doctors suggest there are chances the eye would reject a plastic equivalent. So a canine – which is the best option due to its shape and size – was taken out of Mr Jones’ mouth. A patch of skin is then taken from the inside of the cheek and placed in the eye for two months, where it gradually acquires its own blood supply.
[Source]
Chapter: Health :: 5 July 2009
