Eye Surgery Connecticut - Procedure to Treat Dry Eye

There are several options available to those who are suffering from chronic dry eye. However, if eye drops, medications, and other suggested routes of relieving the pain and itchiness of dry eyes have not helped you in the past and you continue to struggle with keeping your eyes wet and lubricated, there are a few more solutions that you may find helpful, including punctal occlusion.

There are two kinds of punctal occlusion--temporary and permanent. In order to determine if you are a candidate, Dr. Gold will first insert temporary plugs that will dissolve over the next 90 days. This test will help him make a decision as to whether or not permanent, plugs are a viable option for your chronic dry eye.

Punctal occlusion is a procedure in which plugs are inserted into the puncta (the opening in the inner corner of each eyelid) to close up the ducts that your tears drain from. The punctum is a small opening by at the inner corner of the eyelid. If you are producing enough tears but they are draining too quickly from these ducts, punctal occlusion may be a wonderful solution for chronic dry eye.

This procedure can be done quickly and quite painlessly by an experienced doctor such as Dr. Gold, who can insert the plugs into the tear puncta to keep your tears in place for proper lubrication of the eye. When punctal occlusion is performed, the initial plugs used are made of collagen which dissolves in the tear duct system over 90 days. If there has been an improvement in symptoms during this time this is a very good indication for performing permanent occlusion with plugs which will not dissolve. Some are made of silicone although Dr. Gold prefers the more modern hydrogel plugs which will stay in place unless intentionally removed by irrigating warm saline through the tear system, a painless procedure, as is the plug insertion. Many patients are ecstatic about receiving punctal occlusions and the enhancement this can create for their lifestyle.

If you are ready to be freed from a life of chronic dry eyes, consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Gold. With years in practice, treating dry eye, he can walk you through the process and help you reach a conclusion as to whether or not punctal occlusion is a proper fit for your lifestyle! Almost all health insurance plans cover punctal occlusion for dry eye that has not responded to eye drops and supplements.

Back to All About Eyes Home Page

We accept these major credit cards.