Blind woman regains sight with tooth for an eye
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Doctors in the United States have performed a vision-restoring operation that used the 60-year-old patient's tooth.
A rare condition that destroys cells on the eye's surface left Sharron 'Kay' Thornton blind for nearly a decade.
Earlier this month, doctors used a tooth and part of the lining from her cheek to create a 'window' that allows light into the eye.
Thornton who was blind for nine years underwent a first of its kind procedure, known as modified osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (MOOKP), at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
The procedure implants one of her teeth in her eye, as a base to hold a prosthetic lens.
Thornton was blinded in 2000 by a reaction to a drug she was taking, which damaged her cornea.
"I`m looking forward to seeing my seven youngest grandchildren for the first time," said Thornton.
"We take sight for granted, not realizing that it can be lost at any moment," she said.
"This truly is a miracle."
* Source: Belfast Telegraph.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments