Diagnostic dilemma: Doctors restore a man's vision by removing his tooth and implanting it in his eye

Young surgeon holds forceps with a tooth removed, an assistant has tweezers with a swab in her hands. Stock image of tooth surgery, camera angle in point of view of patient.

The patient: A 34-year-old man named Brent Chapman in British Columbia, Canada

The medical history: When Chapman was 13 years old, he had a rare and serious autoimmune reaction after taking a normal dose of ibuprofen. This reaction, known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, trips the immune system, causing cells to attack the skin and mucus membranes. In this case, the syndrome caused severe burn-like injuries all over Chapman's body, including the surfaces of his eyes.