It sounds like there is a new treatment that can be administered by an eye doctor and is covered by insurance when a person has a problem with administering eye drops or having eye drops for dry eye not provide much relief. It sounds like hyaluronic acid is somehow involved in this. It is also covered by medicare.
"A pilot study of LACRIFILL Canalicular Gel involving 63 patients with dry eye found there was an increase in tears remaining on the eye and an increase in tear volume, lasting for at least 3 months"
I hope this proves to be both safe and effective. Maybe it would not be helpful or work for someone who has dry eye because they can't blink as often as necessary.
"Lacrifill is a gel treatment that can be used to manage dry eye associated with Parkinson's disease by temporarily blocking tear drainage through the tear ducts, allowing the eyes to retain more natural tears; it works by filling the canalicular system with a cross-linked hyaluronic acid derivative, essentially helping the eyes stay lubricated longer.
Key points about Lacrifill and Parkinson's dry eye:
Mechanism of action:
Lacrifill is a canalicular gel that is inserted into the tear drainage system, effectively plugging the tear ducts to prevent excessive tear loss and keep the eyes moist.
Benefit for Parkinson's patients:
People with Parkinson's often experience dry eyes due to a decreased blink rate, and Lacrifill can help manage this symptom by preserving natural tears.
Treatment method:
An ophthalmologist would administer Lacrifill during an office procedure.
Potential advantages over traditional treatments:
Compared to typical artificial tears, Lacrifill may provide longer-lasting relief and can be a good option for patients who find frequent eye drops inconvenient"