Punctal plugs and cautery

To treat Dry Eye Disease by occluding the tear ducts to conserve tear fluid.

Dry eye is one of the commonest conditions that affects the eye. It can be very troublesome causing pain and irritation. Plugs are used to block the openings of the tear ducts of which there is one in each eyelid near the inner corner of the eye. Normally, tear fluid drains out from the eyes through the tear ducts into the side of the nose. The plugs block the drainage of the little amount of tears that are being produced in ‘dry eye disease’ or hold any artificial tear drops instilled in the eye, for longer.

Some individuals who have borderline dry eyes cannot tolerate wearing contact lenses that they were previously used to. Plugging the tear ducts allows the tears to build on the surface of the eye such that they can resume contact lens wear.

There are two types of plugs, one that sit flat on the lid margin and can be easily removed (punctal plugs) and the other that rest inside the tear duct (canalicular plugs) and are not visible but are more difficult to remove if the need arises.