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A punctal plug, also known as tear duct plug or lacrimal plug, is a small medical device that is inserted into the tear duct (puncta) of an eye to block the duct. This prevents the drainage of liquid from the eye. They are used to treat dry eye. Artificial tears are usually still required after punctal plug insertion. [1]
A punctal plug may be inserted into the tear duct by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, decreasing the removal of natural tears from the affected eye. [8] The use of contact lenses may help prevent the abrasion during blinking lifting off the surface layer and uses thin lenses that are gas permeable to minimise reduced oxygenation.
Punctal plugs are thought to be "relatively safe", however, their use may result in epiphora (watery eyes), and more rarely, serious infection and swelling of the tear sac where the tears drain. [60] They are reserved for people with moderate or severe dry eye when other medical treatment has not been adequate.
Persons with dry eye conditions can be fitted with punctal plugs that seal the ducts to limit the amount of fluid drainage and retain moisture. During an ear infection, excess mucus may drain through the nasolacrimal duct in the opposite way tears drain. [citation needed] In humans, the tear ducts in males tend to be larger than the ones in ...
Causes of epiphora are any that cause either overproduction of tears or decreased drainage of tears, resulting in tearing onto the cheek. [2] This can be due to ocular irritation and inflammation (including trichiasis and entropion) or an obstructed tear outflow tract, which is divided according to its anatomical location (i.e., ectropion, punctal, canalicular or nasolacrimal duct obstruction).
Tears are produced by the lacrimal gland, situated just outside the eye. Blinking the eyelids distributes the tears to keep the eyes moist, clean and lubricated. Excess tears are drained via the punctum through the tiny channels called canaliculi located on the inner side of the eyes into the tear sac, from there to the tear duct, the nose and finally down the throat.
RELATED: What your eyes say about your health "Since patients oftentimes require multiple treatments and overexposure to this, light can be potentially dangerous to your vision," she continued.
For dry eyes, artificial tears; medications to reduce inflammation; punctal plugs or other surgery to shut the tear ducts may be tried. [4] For a dry mouth, chewing gum (preferably sugar-free); sipping water; or a saliva substitute may be used. [4] In those with joint or muscle pain, ibuprofen may be used. [4]