Punctal Plugs  (Updated 11/15/04)

You have a condition called Dry Eye Syndrome.  This is treated by increasing the moisture in the eye.  This can be accomplished a variety of ways, and in many cases requires multiple therapeutic avenues, including artificial tears, vitamin supplementation (Hydro-Eye) and Restasis (Cyclosporine) drops.

The tear film has 3 layers:  a lipid or oily layer, an aqueous or salt water layer and a mucin layer.  The mucin layer allows the tear film to “stick” to the cornea, or the surface of the eye.  The aqueous layer provides moisture to the eye.  The lipid layer prevents evaporation.  The tear film must have the proper ratio of each of its constituents in order to allow “sheeting” and to prevent evaporation. 

Each eyelid has a drain in the corner near the nose, called a punctum.  When you blink, the tears are pumped toward the nose into the punctum, in order to prevent them from running down your face.  Treament of dry eye may involve blocking the drain with a plug.  We use two basic types of plugs- both are temporary and dissolve.  We like to use a 2 week dissolvable or a 3 month dissolvable plug, depending on the severity of your condition.  These plugs are inserted in the punctum very simply with a sterile forcep to keep your natural tears in your eye longer.

If this improves your condition and you do not have over-tearing (tears do not run down your face), we can offer you a more permanent option which involves cauterizing the punctum to make it more stenotic, or narrow.

Your physician will assist you in your decision to try plugs.  Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about this procedure.