Dr. Gian Carlo Falcinelli’s ‘Modified Osteo Odonto Kerato Prosthesis’ (M.O.O.K.P.) technique has helped hundreds of patients in several countries see the world again in all its colours and light.

Dr. Falcinelli, currently working for San Camillo Hospital in Rome (Italy), has been imparting training in the procedure to ophthalmologists in India, which houses one-third of the estimated 11 million corneal blind population in the world.

Under his guidance, Sankara Nethralaya is establishing an exclusive centre for M.O.O.K.P. procedures to be headed by Dr. G. Sithalakshmi.

The M.O.O.K.P. procedure is done in two stages. In the first stage the patient's canine tooth is removed and prepared to hold the cylinder (lens).

The tooth is then placed in a pocket under the skin of the other eye. A three-centimeter mucous membrane is removed from inside the cheek to cover the sclera of the injured eye.

In the next stage, about four-five months later, the tooth, which is by now surrounded by soft tissue, is removed and placed behind the mucous membrane graft in such a way that only the cylinder protrudes out of the eye. Thus enabling the patient to see and reducing the chances of extrusion of the prosthesis from the eye.

Regular follow up is vital to prevent risks of complications. The Italian doctor has performed over 275 procedures on patients blinded either by trauma, chemical exposure or Stevens Johnson Syndrome (a form of severe drug reaction). In such cases, conventional interventions such as stem cell transplants seldom work, as the injured eye is dry.