Punctal Plugs

Helping Retain Your Natural Tears for Ocular Surface Disease Relief

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What are Punctal Plugs?

Once your doctor diagnoses the potential triggers for your dry eye symptoms, he or she can explore various treatments such as punctal plugs. These tiny devices, smaller than a grain of rice, can be utilized independently or in conjunction with other dry eye treatments.

Delicately placed in a tear duct, these plugs comfortably seal the drain through which tears typically exit. Doing so enables your natural tears to remain in your eyes, offering prolonged relief. This straightforward and noninvasive procedure is conveniently performed in the office.

Types of Punctal Plugs

Punctal plugs typically fall into two categories: temporary and permanent.

  • Different types of temporary collagen plugs can last from 3-5 days to 3-6 months.

  • Some patients opt for permanent plugs, often crafted from silicone, which remain in place until professionally removed by the doctor.

Close-up of a human eye with labeled anatomical parts including the large lacrimal gland, meibomian glands, upper punctum for plug placement, lower punctum for plug placement, canaliculus, and nasal lacrimal duct.
Diagram showing different types of vaginal insert products categorized by duration: short duration up to 5 days, medium duration up to 3 and 6 months, and long duration with hydrogel or silicone.
A close-up illustration of a tampon inserted into a vaginal opening.
Medical illustration of a colon with a removable stent inserted.