St. Louis — A 29 year old Sikeston, MO man has been unable to shed a tear for the past 22 years due to a rare disease. A successful operation has now made it possible for the man to shed tears through a saliva gland.
The man has suffered from Stevens-Johnson syndrome since the age of seven. The disease left him blind and unable to shed tears. Doctors removed a saliva gland from his neck and moved it near his temple. The operation was a success.
The gland will supply a constant source of fluid to bathe the eye, eliminating the need for using eye drops every 10 to 15 minutes.
