Not an eye for an eye,a tooth for an eye

For patients whose bodies reject a transplanted or artificial cornea,this procedure “implants the patient’s tooth in the eye to anchor a prosthetic lens and restore vision”,said Thornton’s surgeon Victor Perez.

In the procedure — which was pioneered in Italy but was a first in the United States — the medical team extracted Thornton’s canine or “eyetooth” and surrounding bone,shaved and sculpted it,and drilled a hole into it to insert an optical cylinder lens.

“We take sight for granted,not realising that it can be lost at any moment,” the grateful patient said. She said people should imagine what it is like “if you could keep your eyes closed just for one week… it’s amazing what you see when you open your eyes again.”

The tooth and the lens were implanted under the patient’s skin in the cheek or shoulder for two months so they could bond,then they were carefully implanted in the centre of the eye after a series of procedures to prepare the socket.

“A hole is made in the mucosa for the prosthetic lens,which protrudes slightly from the eye and enables light to re-enter the eye allowing the patient to see once again,” read an Eye Institute statement.

Following a series of operations,medical personnel removed the bandages from Thornton’s eyes two weeks ago. She was able to recognise objects and faces a few hours later,and two weeks later she was able to read newspapers,the Eye Institute said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my seven youngest grandchildren for the first time,” said Thornton.