Dry eye punctal plugs

When artificial tears are not enough, punctal plugs keep the tears you do produce on the eye instead of draining away. It is a small in-office procedure that takes minutes and can be reversed.

What's Involved

Tear film assessment — Testing tear volume and quality to confirm plugs are the right step.
Plug placement — A tiny insert placed in the tear drainage duct, usually with no anaesthetic needed.
Trial and adjustment — Temporary dissolvable plugs first when we want to test the effect before committing.

When to Come In

Drops that stop working — Needing artificial tears more than four times a day.
Screen and air-conditioning fatigue — Eyes that burn by mid-afternoon indoors.
Contact lens intolerance — Lenses that used to be comfortable and no longer are.

This content is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Talk with a qualified provider about your own situation. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.