A North Vancouver man has regained his vision in a remarkable procedure known as tooth-in-eye surgery. Brent Chapman, 33, had a tooth implanted in his right eye, giving him sight for the first time in 20 years. Chapman underwent osteo-odonto-keratoprothesis, a complex surgery in which a tooth is extracted, fitted with a plastic lens, and implanted in the eye socket. Flesh from the patient’s cheek holds the tooth in place. The operation may sound extreme, but for Chapman, it has been life-changing.
When he was a teenager, the idea of placing a tooth in his eye was unthinkable. “I was very young and just wanted to fit in. I thought, ‘Dad, this is science fiction,’” Chapman recalled. Even his surgeons initially warned against it. But after years of unsuccessful procedures, tooth-in-eye surgery became his best hope for restoring vision.
Chapman’s journey began at 13 during a Christmas basketball tournament. Feeling sore, he took ibuprofen, unaware that he had Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The reaction caused severe burns on more than 90 percent of his body, affecting his nostrils, lungs, and eyes. He was placed in a medically induced coma for 27 days, describing the experience as a mix of “beautiful” and “nightmarish” visions.
When he awoke, he faced a long recovery. Chapman relearned to walk and eat, but his eyesight did not recover. An infection had destroyed his left eye completely and left his right cornea badly damaged. He also lost the ability to produce tears, essential for eye health. Over the years, Chapman traveled globally, including the U.S., Italy, and Singapore, trying various treatments to restore his cornea. Some procedures provided temporary sight, but none lasted longer than a year. Each attempt increased the risk of permanent damage.
Two years ago, Chapman revisited the tooth-in-eye option. An Australian doctor specializing in the procedure had returned to Vancouver. Chapman’s doubts vanished after a phone conversation with a successful patient who could ski again in her 60s. “That moment made it real,” Chapman said. “I couldn’t handle having temporary sight for a few weeks and then losing it again. It felt like Groundhog Day for 20 years.”
Dr. Greg Moloney, an ophthalmologist, explained the challenge: Chapman’s front eye was damaged, but the back remained healthy. He compared it to a cracked windshield. Tooth-in-eye surgery replaces the “windshield,” letting light back into the eye. The surgery involves multiple stages. First, Chapman’s tooth was removed and fitted with a plastic optic, then placed in his cheek for three months to be surrounded by tissue. In June, the tooth was implanted in his eye in a day-long procedure with a team of four doctors, including one who traveled from Australia to assist.
The concept may seem unusual, but the procedure is rooted in decades of artificial cornea research. The tooth acts as a biological bridge, holding the lens in place without rejection. Dr. Moloney noted that patients from the 1970s and 1980s are still living normal lives.
Chapman rates his current vision as an eight out of ten compared to his sight before losing it. He describes the improvement as life-changing and is looking forward to traveling and enjoying activities without medical limitations. He also plans to advocate for tooth-in-eye surgery, connecting with potential patients and promoting funding for the St. Paul’s Foundation, which made his surgery possible. “There’s someone out there going through what I went through,” Chapman said. “If my story helps them, that would be amazing.”
