Tear duct plugs as they are known are good for only one form of dry eyes called aqueous deficiency where there are no tears at all. The other form waters frequently (lipid deficiency) and plugs not help. Problem with plugs is they fall out and rarely stay in more than several months. Rare anyone to be too sensitive to restasis. My wife and I have been on restasis for many years with fabulous results. restasis works with both forms of dry eyes.
Most of them have a tip (like the head on a nail or screw) that keeps the plug from sinking deep into the tear duct. In the past they made plugs without these heads and they were pushed deep into the duct and could not be removed. Many of these type caused problems, infected tear ducts and had to be removed surgically by an oculoplastic surgeon.
First question: the success of the permanent plus does not in my experience relate to success/failure of disolving plug.
Question 2: I do not recommend plugs with caps or ones that are located deep in the tear duct. Too hard to remove and often cause problems. I use only easy to remove. They come in small medicum and large and properly sized cap not a problem.
I use to use plugs first, now I use restasis first.
Thanks but I'd have more questions because I am not reading English very well.
1. Do you mean Omega 3 supplements is more useful than those blueberry thing?
2. Sorry what is tear duct plugs or restasis?? I don't understand.
I HAVE PLUGS IN BOTH LOWER DUCTS. I NOTICE HOWEVER WHEN I USED DROPS(RESTASIS, SYSTANE ETC) THAT THE LIQUID STAYS IN ONE EYE MUCH LONGER THAN THE OTHER. THE EYE THAT HOLDS THE LIQUID LONGER HAS A SMART PLUG. THE OTHER EYE IS A DIFFERENT PLUG(SORRY I CANNOT REMEMBER THE TYPE). WHEN A TEAR DUCT IS PLUGGED CORRECTLY DOES IT COMPLETELY ELIMINATE TEARS FROM DRAINING IN THAT DUCT. THE UPPER DUCTS ARE NOT PLUGGED BUT I STILL THINK IT IS STRANGE. THANKS.
Putting tear duct plugs in the lower lid is quick, easy, safe and usually painless. The plugs may stay in the eye up to several years although there is a rarther high rate of them coming out usually from rubbing the eye or using a washcloth on the inside corner of the lids.
I think it important not to use a "smartplug" or other tear duct plug that is pushed deeply into the tear duct and cannot be removed easily.
Thank you so much for your input doctor, I will have my Mom look into this with the restasis and tear duct plugs.
On my patients I use tear duct plugs only AFTER a 4-6 month trial of ReStasis. ReStasis is a revolutionary eyedrop that has changed the treatment of dry eyes world wide for the better. In the USA it is the second most widely prescribed medication. My wife and many of our friends are on restasis.
Also recent studies indicate that 2 or 3 Omega 3 (enteric coated fish oil) greatlyhelp dry eyes. Takes 3-4 months to kick in.
As long at tear duct plugs that can easily be removed (not SmartPlugs or intracanular plugs) are used there is very little downside to plugs.
Read this also:
General Information on Dry Eyes
a Schirmer test of zero indicates that you have severe dry eyes. I'm assuming from your posting that you have tried both preserved and unpreserved artifical tears, gels or lubricating ointments at bedtime, environmental modification, etc. Don't discount eye drops.
I had LASIK at a very well regarded opthalmologist office last Thursday. My vision never improved to what I would call "good." I started off at 20/450 in both eyes, approximately. Currently, my right eye reads at 20/40 and my left at 20/70.
The puncta in young people is generally flat with the lid and doesn't swell unless the lid swells due to infection, irritation, inflammation or allergy. In older people >60 the puncta often "sticks up" due to some atrophy of lid muscles. If your problem occured when you eye was irritated especially if you were rubbing or dabbing it with a kleenix I could understand but have explanation if the eye is not irritated. You didn't have tear duct plugs put in did you?
My eyes now feel better than they have for quite awhile but still red like no sleep (I get 8 hrs daily) I have 3 questions; 1. can plugs be used with Restasis? (Restasis info says no but Dr. says yes) 2. Should I try plugs 1st and if not successful, then go back to Restasis? 3. In reading about Restasis, are there future bad side effects in continued use such as cancer? I am starting to question if I should get another opinion. Thank you for any suggestions that you may have.
//www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/1648149/General-information-on-dry-eyes-tears-dysfunction-syndrome Tear duct plugs are not terribly helpful as they generally fall out in 6 months or less. If you have severe dry eyes and are using artificial tears more than 4 times/day consider going on Restasis. Both my wife and I have are on restasis for severe dry eyes.
We have been on Restasis with spectacular results for over 8 years. There are two other drops like Restasis, xiidra which patients do not like and is very expensive and Cequa which is same medicine as restasis but stronger concentration. Ask you ophthalmologist about Restasis (cyclosporin) think it just became available as generic.
A careful history, artificial tears, tear duct pugs, omega 3 use, environmental modification, and if needed Restasis (the new Xiidra is wildly expensive) can handle 99% of the patients. Below is a previous post on dry eyes:
General Information on Dry Eyes-Now known as Tears Dysfunction Syndrome or Ocular Surface Disorder.
a Schirmer test of zero indicates that you have severe dry eyes.
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