The Clinical Effects of the Silicone Intracanalicular Plug in Dry Eye Syndrome

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the efficacy of the intracanalicular silicone plug in dry eye, we performed lower horizontal canalicular occlusion with the Herrick lacrimal plug Twenty-eight of the 34 eyes(81 %) were able to discontinue or reduce to occasional use of the instillation of artificial tears and the remaining unsatisfactory 6 eyes were investigated by radiologic study for silicone plug. In 2 eyes, the plugs were invisible in radiologic study and the canaliculi were occluded repeatedly. In one of the four eyes with their plugs in place, upper canaliculus was occluded additionally. By thorough evaluation of the status of the plug by radiologic study and secondary attempt. 31 of the 34 eyes(91%) were able to discontinue or reduce to occasional use of the instillation of artificial tears. The intracanalicular plug has no protruded portion out of the puntum, so complications such as reflex tearing, conjunctival irritation, and loss of plug through the punctum, were not occurred. Waters' view with soft tissue density was effective in demonstration of silicone intracanalicular plug.