Punctal Plugs
Find Relief with Lacrifill and Oasis Dissolvable Plugs
Punctal plugs are tiny devices that are placed in the eye’s tear ducts (called puncta). Puncta are the tiny openings in your eyelids that drain tears from your eyes. The plug is about the size of a grain of rice, and it blocks tears from draining from the eye. This helps keep the eye’s surface moist and comfortable, relieving itchy, burning and red eyes.
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LACRIFILL® Canalicular Gel can help patients with dry eye symptoms, whatever the cause, that aren’t relieved by other therapies. This proprietary, novel cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid gel is used to fill the lacrimal caniculi so that patient’s eyes are bathed in their own natural tears.
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Oasis temporary/dissolving plugs are made of a material (such as collagen) that gradually breaks down and is absorbed by the body. These plugs can last in the eye from a few days to months. Temporary plugs are often used after having refractive surgery, such as LASIK and to try to see if longer lasting punctal plugs help relieve your dry eye.
Benefits of Lacrifill® Canalicular Gel
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Long-Lasting Relief: A single, quick, in-office procedure can provide dry eye relief for up to six months, significantly reducing or eliminating the need for frequent artificial tear application.
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Natural Tear Preservation: It works by gently blocking the tear drainage ducts (puncta) to keep your own natural tears on the surface of the eye longer, rather than replacing them with artificial substitutes.
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Enhanced Comfort and Tolerability: Made from a soft, cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel, it conforms to the unique anatomy of the tear duct, which minimizes irritation, discomfort, and the foreign body sensation often associated with solid plugs.
Benefits of Oasis Punctal Plugs
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Improved comfort: By retaining natural tears on the eye's surface, the plugs can significantly reduce dryness-related discomfort.
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Reduced reliance on eye drops: plugs help stabilize the tear film, keeping more natural tears on the eye can lessen the need for frequent use of artificial tear drops.
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Tailored treatment: Oasis provides different plug types, such as dissolvable collagen plugs for short-term use (e.g., before or after surgery, or for seasonal issues) and longer-lasting silicone plugs, allowing for treatment that fits specific needs.
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Comfortable and unobtrusive: The plugs are made from soft, flexible materials like silicone or hydrogel, and many patients do not feel them after they are inserted.
What to Expect with a Punctal Plug Treatment
During the Punctal Plug Procedure
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A numbing drop will be applied to your eye to ensure comfort.
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The doctor will gently insert the Lacrifill gel or Oasis punctal plug into your tear ducts using a small applicator.
Post-Treatment Care
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Initial adjustment: You may notice some temporary watering or pressure as your eye adjusts.
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Symptom relief: Improvement in dry eye symptoms is typically noticed immediately, with improvement in the first few days and lasts for several months.
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Repeat treatments: Because the Lacrifill gel and temporary Oasis Punctal Plugs dissolve over time, repeat treatments are needed to maintain the effect.