DRY EYE DISEASE TREATMENT:

PUNCTAL OCCLUSION

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Punctal plugs are tiny, biocompatible, soft silicone devices that can be inserted into tear drainage system, to block drainage. This increases the eye's tear film volume and surface moisture to help relieve certain forms of dry eyes. Also known as punctal plugs, these devices often are no larger than a grain of rice.

Punctal plugs usually are considered when non-prescription or prescription eye drops fail to relieve your dry eye condition.

Two general types of tear duct plugs are:

You can see in this anatomical slideshow three different shapes of punctal plugs. Images: Oasis Medical, Inc.

  • Semi-permanent, typically made of long-lasting materials such as silicone.

  • Dissolvable, made of materials such as collagen that the body eventually absorbs.

Temporary or dissolvable punctal plugs usually last from a few days to as long as several months. These types of plugs would be used in circumstances such as preventing temporary causes of dryness, such as after eye surgery.

Dissolvable, temporary punctal plugs sometimes are used to determine if the treatment works for your dry eye condition. If so, then permanent punctal plugs might be considered.

How Are Punctal Plugs Inserted in Tear Ducts?

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The process of inserting silicone plugs is very simple and painless. The plug has a small lip on the top that can be used to extract the plug if necessary. Once the benefits of punctual occlusion are confirmed, if a plug becomes dislodged, a permanent plug can be inserted further into the drain, so that it cannot become dislodge.

It is typically unnecessary to anesthetize the eye before insertion of the small plug. The process is painless.

Each eyelid has one punctum, located at its inner margin near the nose. Plugs are first inserted into one or both lower lids, and need only be placed in the upper lids in rare cases.

Other than slight initial awareness of it’s presence, you should not feel the plug once it is in place. Immediately after the procedure, you should be able to drive yourself home and resume normal activities.