“Tooth-in-Eye” Surgery Can Help Blind People See

Lesson made on March 2, 2025

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Reading Lesson:

A blind man from Canada is trying a rare surgery to help him see again…by putting a tooth in his eye! Doctors are using one of his own teeth to hold a small plastic lens, which they will place in his eye. This surgery has been done in other countries for years, but it is the first time in Canada.

The reason doctors use a tooth is that it is very strong and comes from the patient’s own body. This means the body won’t reject it, which can happen with other types of implants.

First, doctors remove a tooth and shape it to hold a tiny lens. Then, they put it into the eye, allowing the person to see through a small opening.

This surgery is only for people who have lost vision due to damage in the front of their eyes but still have healthy parts in the back of the eye. It is a last option when other treatments don’t work.

There are risks, but studies show that most patients keep their vision for many years. The new Canadian clinic hopes to help more people in the future. The patient is excited and hopes to do things like play basketball and travel again if the surgery is successful.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Why does the patient want this surgery?

a) He hopes to see again.
b) He wants to have stronger teeth.
c) He is studying to be a doctor.
d) He likes trying new things.

2. What is special about this surgery?

a) It replaces the whole eye with a new one.
b) It uses glasses to fix vision problems.
c) It is the first eye surgery ever done.
d) It uses a tooth to help a blind person see.

3. Why do doctors use the patient’s own tooth for the surgery?

a) It is cheaper than other materials.
b) It is strong and won’t be rejected by the body.
c) It is easier to shape than plastic.
d) It is the only material that can hold a lens.

4. What type of patients can have this surgery?

a) Patients with damage in the back of the eye.
b) Patients with damage in the front of the eye.
c) Patients who are completely blind.
d) Patients who have never had eye problems before.

5. Which of these statements is false?

a) The surgery has never been done in Canada before.
b) The tooth is used because it is strong and won’t be rejected.
c) The surgery can help all blind people see again.
d) The patient hopes to play basketball and travel again after the surgery.

6. What does the article say about how successful the surgery is?

a) It always works perfectly.
b) It has risks but often works for many years.
c) It only works for a short time.
d) It is too risky to try.

7. Why is this surgery a “last option”?

a) It is very expensive.
b) It is only done in Canada.
c) It is used when other treatments don’t work.
d) It is not very effective.

8. What might happen if this surgery becomes more common in Canada?

a) More blind people could regain some vision.
b) Dentists will say to brush your eyes with toothpaste.
c) Other countries might stop performing this surgery.
d) Fewer people would need to wear glasses.

9. Why does the patient want to travel if the surgery is successful?

a) He needs to visit a special doctor in another country.
b) He was never allowed to travel when he was blind.
c) The surgery will only work in warm climates.
d) He wants to see new places that he couldn’t before.

10. What is the main idea of the article?

a) A blind man in Canada is trying a surgery that uses a tooth to restore vision.
b) Doctors have discovered a new way to cure all types of blindness.
c) Scientists are testing different materials to create artificial eyes.
d) Teeth are strong and can be used in many different ways.

Speaking and Writing Activities:

– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.

– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.

1. If you were the doctor performing this surgery, how would you explain it to the patient to make them feel comfortable?

2. What’s the most interesting or strange surgery you’ve ever heard of? Would you ever consider it?

3. How could our city be improved to better support people who are blind?

More Reading Practice:

Medical Implants

Medical implants are devices that doctors place inside or on the body to help improve health. For example, some people may need a pacemaker, which is a small device that helps control the heartbeat. Others may get a joint replacement, such as a new hip or knee, if their original joint is damaged. There are also implants like dental implants, which are used to replace missing teeth. Another common implant is a hearing aid, which helps people hear better. These devices are designed to stay inside the body for a long time and help people live healthier, more comfortable lives.

Other Types of Eye Surgery

Eye surgery can help fix problems with your eyes. One common type of eye surgery is called LASIK. LASIK can correct blurry vision caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. This surgery uses a laser to change the shape of the eye so that light can focus properly on the retina.

Another type of surgery is cataract surgery. A cataract is when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, making it hard to see. In cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear one, so the person can see better.

Some people may also need surgery for glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition where the pressure in the eye gets too high, which can damage the optic nerve. Surgery can help lower the pressure and protect the eye from further damage.

For those with a detached retina, surgery can be done to reattach it. A detached retina can cause vision loss, so it’s important to fix it as soon as possible.

These surgeries are done by eye doctors called ophthalmologists, and they can help people see better and improve their quality of life.


Link: Images of Tooth-in-Eye Surgery

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