Punctal plug

[rezapal]

Hi All;
I am new and I can see that all problems are common between us,
my question is anybody used punctal plug, which my eye specialist suggest me to install into my eye?

[lori67]

Hi and welcome!

I do not have the plug, but I did have my tear ducts cauterized, which pretty much serves the same purpose.  My opthamologist didn't want to use the plugs because my cornea was so chewed up, he didn't want to run the risk of the plug falling out, which happens sometimes.  I know my procedure helped more than I ever imagined.  I was in so much pain before I had it done that I was putting drops and gel in every 15 minutes and it still hurt like crazy.  Now i don't use drops at all during the day and use the gel at night.

I know of some people (my facial PT, actually) who had the plugs because she has chronic dry eye.  She said they helped her out a lot.  One of hers fell out too, and they had to put a larger one in.  I guess sometimes they have to play around with the sizes before they get it right, but everyone I've talked to is happy they did it.

Not sure if this helps or not!
Lori

[OTO]

My mom had the plugs put in because she has chronic dry eyes due to Soegrem (sp?) syndrome.   The first time it didn't help... I think they fell out or hurt or   Second time she was very happy and doesn't use eyedrops unless it particularly windy or dry day...

[luv2teachsped]

Hi again Everyone..
 
.  It's been almost three years for me and I'm still having problems with my eyes. I have recently had punctual plugs put in my right eye. I find them very irritating, and now have conjuctivitis in my eye. Has ANYONE found any real source of help???  With the plugs, I do actually have a few tears, so my eye isn't as dry but I still have to use ointment many times a day!
Thanks,luv2teach

[nancyann]

I know someone who got an Rx for Restasis.   I doesn't work right away, but eventually it somehow increases tear production over time.

I produce tears, but they're useless because I still don't blink enough for them to be spread over my cornea, they just drop out of my
lower lid.   I also use lubricant like it's going out of style.   

[48_Below]

Hi

Like Lori
i had my tear ducts cauterized. It did help, but it will never be normal. It took almost a year before a could close my eye, so the damage must have been quite bad. My tumor which i  just found out has once again reared its ugly head and regrowth has shown was very large.

At night i gel the eye and tape the eye shut. tape comes off in the a:m and i dont need drops all day. some days it gets a bit sore but all in all it could be worse.

discuss this option with your dr.  even if it helps just a bit its worth it. they give you a local. the needle hurts more than the actual procedure. good luck in your decision

[neal r. lyons]

Hello Rezepal  I have just switched to Restasis which is supposed to promote tears.  I changed to Restasis because they need only be applied twice daily.  I was a little tired of applying eyedrops so many times per day.  It's only been a week, but it seems to working well enough that I am going to stay with the Restasis.   Best wishes, Neal

[luv2teachsped]

Hi:
  I was reading over this post and thought I should post an update.  I have had punctual plugs put in both my upper and lower lids of my affected eye.  I had to use the ointment constantly at first, but now find I rarely have to use it. My  good eye tears in the wind, and still have no tears in my affected eye, but at least it is no longer painful and blurry. Success at last!
luv2teachsped

[Debbi]

I am wondering if anyone else has any comments or feedback on the punctal plug?  I just saw my second opthamologist this morning and he has ordered a 1.2 Blinkeze eye weight, and said that I may also benefit from a punctal plug.  I hadn't read too much about this procedure, so curious to hear from anyone else on this...

Debbi, eagerly awaiting Blinkeze...

[Kaybo]

Debbi~
So excited for you and the weight - I think that you will LOVE it!  I went 7 years w/o a weight and it has been SOOOOOOOO much better since I get one.  I'm not super happy w/ the placement of the new one, but that has been the least of my worries!  I leave for Baltimore in a couple of hours so we'll see what Dr. Byrne says!
Happy Weighting...

K

[Debbi]

Good luck in Baltimore, Kay!  I'll check your blog for updates.

And, yes, I am so eager to try out the external eye weight.  Hopefully I'll get my "real" blink back in the next few months; if not, I'll do a gold weight probably. 

Safe travels, my friend.

Debbi, getting ready to wink!

[Jeff]

Hi,
I will share my experiences. After my first AN was removed, my eye became dry and uncomfortable. My Dr. installed the punctum plug and it helped tremendously. Tests showed that I am functioning with 10% of normal tear production, but I am fine now. On my other side (I have NF2), I have total paralysis. I have a gold weight and had the lower lid lifted. These also help a great deal.
Jeff

[Debbi]

Jeff-

Thanks so much for the info.  Although I am very sorry that you had to have any of these wondrous devices and procedures!

Your result from the plug is very encouraging!  I've been doing some reading online and it looks like there are different types of materials used for the plugs, but that the procedure to have it "installed" is quick and painless.

Interesting that you mention the lower lid lift, as my doctor also mentioned this as something to consider down the road if the facial "numbness" doesn't resolve enough to get my eye back to normal (whatever normal happens to be). 

Thanks again for your post, Jeff. 

Debbi, grateful for all the wonderful people on this forum...