Punctal Plugs for Dry Eye Relief
How Punctal Plugs Work
To understand how these plugs help, it is useful to think of your eye like a sink. Tears are the water coming from the faucet, and your eyelids have tiny drains in the corners called puncta. If the drain is open, tears flow away too quickly, leaving your eyes dry.
Punctal plugs act exactly like a stopper in a sink. By blocking the drainage channel, we keep your natural tears and any eye drops you use on the surface of your eye much longer. This helps maintain a healthy layer of moisture to protect your vision.
When tears stay on the eye longer, they soothe the surface and reduce friction when you blink. This helps eliminate the burning, stinging, and gritty 'sand in the eye' sensation that makes dry eye syndrome so frustrating.
Types of Plugs We Use
Our ophthalmologists select the right type of plug based on the severity of your dryness and your specific eye anatomy. We typically use two main categories of plugs.
These are made of collagen or other body-friendly materials that dissolve naturally over a few days or months. We often use these first to test if blocking your tear ducts successfully relieves your symptoms. They are also helpful for short-term dryness after procedures like LASIK.
These plugs are made of soft, medical-grade silicone designed for long-term use. They do not dissolve, but our doctors can easily remove them if necessary. These are ideal for patients in the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area who need lasting relief from chronic dry eye.
The Procedure at ReFocus Eye Health Marlton
Many patients worry that the procedure will be painful, but it is actually very quick, painless, and minimally invasive. The entire process takes place in our exam chair at our Marlton office.
Before placing plugs, we perform a thorough exam to measure your tear production. We want to ensure that your dry eye is caused by a lack of tear volume (aqueous deficiency) rather than poor oil quality, ensuring plugs are the right choice for you.
The insertion takes only a minute. We may use a numbing drop to ensure you are comfortable. Your doctor uses a sterile instrument to gently slide the tiny plug into the tear duct opening. Most patients feel only slight pressure and no pain.
Because the plugs work instantly to stop tear drainage, many patients feel relief within the first 24 hours. You can drive yourself home and return to your normal daily activities immediately after your appointment.
Benefits of Punctal Plugs
Choosing punctal plugs can significantly improve your quality of life by addressing the root cause of tear loss. Patients often report the following benefits:
- Reduced reliance on eye drops: You save time and money by needing artificial tears less often.
- Better contact lens comfort: With more moisture, contacts stay hydrated longer, allowing for extended wear time.
- Clearer vision: A smooth, moist tear film is essential for sharp focus, reducing fluctuating vision.
- Reversible treatment: If your needs change, the plugs can be removed by your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand you may have questions about having a device placed in your tear duct. Here are the answers to common concerns we hear from our patients.
Generally, no. Once the plug is properly seated in the tear duct, you should not feel it at all. You may have a mild awareness of it for the first day, but this sensation usually disappears quickly.
It is possible for a plug to dislodge if you rub your eyes vigorously. If your dry eye symptoms return suddenly, let us know. We can easily replace the plug during a quick visit to our office.
Yes, punctal plugs are considered a medical treatment for dry eye disease. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover the procedure when it is medically necessary.
Yes. Punctal plugs only block the normal drainage of lubricating tears. If you cry due to emotion or get something in your eye, your body produces a large volume of reflex tears that will simply overflow down your cheek, just like normal.
Get Relief for Your Dry Eyes
You do not have to live with the constant irritation of dry eye syndrome. Our multispecialty team at ReFocus Eye Health Marlton is equipped with the advanced technology and expertise to help you find comfort. Visit us on Brick Road to see if punctal plugs are the right solution for your eyes.
Dr. Heuer was very professional and easy to talk to. I enjoyed being in what appeared to be an all female office. I highly recommend allowing them to take care of your eye care needs.
Lasaunji Richardson
I found my visit with ReFocus to be excellent! I met with Minor who was professional and thorough in his intake. It was delightful to meet with Dr.Sophie who laid out a very careful plan for my eyes!
Bernadette Tourtual
Dr. Heuer saw me and recommended that I use eye drops and wipes every day, along with applying a cream at night to care for my eyes. Everyone I worked with was attentive and genuinely caring.
Alex Buttery
Dr. Glass is an amazing kind and dedicated doctor. I recommend him to everyone who needs an eye doctor! He goes the extra mile to make sure everything works for you to the best of his ability!
Carol
Doctor Grossman and his team are very skilled. He successfully removed my cataracts 4 years ago. I am now a once a year patient. They answered all of my questions at my recent appointment.
Marilyn Waltzer
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Wednesday: 8am-7pm
Thursday: 8am-7pm
Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-2pm
Sunday: Closed