Lane is one of just three Canadians to undergo the rare surgery, formally known as osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis, which was performed in February by ophthalmologist Dr. Greg Moloney at Vancouver’s Mount Saint Joseph Hospital.

Moloney was the first to bring the complex operation to Canada, though it has been performed in other countries.

‘Complex and strange’

“It’s a complex and strange operation, but it basically involves replacing the cornea,” Dr. Moloney told CBC.

Explaining the procedure, the doctor said the surgery begins with the removal of a tooth from the patient’s mouth. The tooth is then implanted into the cheek for several months until it becomes surrounded by strong connective tissue.

Once ready, surgeons remove both the tooth and its surrounding tissue, insert a plastic focusing telescope or lens into it, and then suture the tooth-lens structure into