Punctum Plugs for Dry Eye
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An effective treatment for dry eye is to reduce the volume of tears you drain with each blink by obstructing the tear drain (eye lid punctum). This is a safe, proven technique of providing relief for dry eye suffers.
Our Lead Optometrist Peter offers two types of punctum plugs.
Both types of punctum plugs are very small, they can are around 0.3 mm diameter and a couple of mm long. Each patient requires individual assessment to enable the correct size to be chosen as tear punctum sizes vary. Punctum Plug Approximate size - Following numbing of your eyelid the sterile punctum plug is carefully and very gently inserted into your lower tear punctum. You usually do not feel anything and can expect relief from dry eye symptoms to start within a few hours once your punctum plugs expand to fill your tear punctum. The temporary collagen punctum plugs will last around eight to twelve weeks. You know they are dissolving when your dry eye symptoms return! They are an excellent option for patients who want to give punctum plugs a try. The permanent plugs are designed to last a year or so, they usually remain in place until rinsed out (again a pain free procedure carried out by our Lead Optometrist Peter). Punctum Plugs are a safe effective treatment, providing relief from Dry Eye symptoms for many patients. You can arrange a punctum plug assessment by calling either practice: Fishponds on 0117 9654434 or Henleaze on 0117 9622474. |
Punctum Plug Insertion
Temporary Punctum Plug - immediately after instillation
Permenant Punctum Plug - expanded after a day or so
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