Dry eyes and surgery

Punctal plugs for dry eye

Dry eyes affect anywhere from 10-20 percent of the adult population in North America. Often dry eyes are associated with symptoms like itching, burning and a foreign body sensation in the eye. The vision can also become blurred. It is impossible to wear contact lenses with dry eyes.

It is known that tears drain down the lacrimal duct located on the nasal corner of the eyes. Some eye physicians recommend plugging the opening of the duct, so that the tears stay on the eye instead of draining away. The procedure is done as an outpatient and is of short duration. 

Unfortunately, despite inserting plugs to block the duct, very few people find this of any benefit. The reason is that in many people the dry eyes is caused by lack of tears and not due to excessive drainage. 

Plugging of the lacrimal duct is an expensive procedure and rarely helps people with dry eyes- definitely not recommended.