Punctal plugs?

[rosserk]

Hi just had punctal plugs fitted and I’m finding them uncomfortable! Anyone else had similar problems and are they likely to settle down?

[Beverly]

They will settle down you will get use to them.

[rosserk in reply to Beverly]

Hi Beverly thanks for replying. I can’t see them settling down they are making my eyes sore I can’t look left, right or up and down it feels like they are scratching my eyeballs. I’ve spent most of the evening with my eyes closed because it’s so hard to keep them open.

[Beverly in reply to rosserk]

Serious complications are not common with punctal plugs. However, some people may experience side effects.

The most common side effect is a scratchy, slightly irritating sensation in the corner of the eye. Most people acclimatize to this feeling or find that it disappears after a while.

Other side effects can include:

Inflammation. Sometimes the plugs can irritate the tear ducts or cause inflammation for more extended periods of time. Anyone noticing these symptoms should contact their doctor for a checkup. It may be best to remove the plugs, as the inflammation could lead to scarring or other damage in the tear duct.

Allergic reaction. While not common, it is possible for someone to have an allergic reaction to the insertion of the plugs. The body may even reject the plugs entirely, in which case removal will be necessary.

Watery eyes. Punctal plugs can work too well in some cases and lead to a person having watery eyes constantly. In this case, a doctor can suggest other treatment options.Plugs that stick out. This is usually due to a plug being the wrong size. Plugs may rub against the surface of the eye or the eyelid, and can even fall out of the duct. This is one of the reasons doctors recommend regular checkups following the insertion.

[rosserk in reply to Beverly]

If I pull my lower lids down I can look up down left right no problems. When I release my lower lid down and look left right up down it feels like something is scratching my eyes. So it’s definitely not an infection and I’m not suddenly going to get used to something scratching my eye constantly. They are really sore this morning. I have phoned the hospital and they will see me at 2pm. At first they said to give it a couple more days but then I’d be left all over the weekend because there’s no chance they are suddenly going to move further in and stop scratching.

[milkwoman]

I’ve been looking into these myself. It appears there are 3 different kinds of plugs:

Temporary plugs. Many doctors will recommend using temporary plugs initially to see how the body reacts. They are collagen plugs, which dissolve naturally in the body and will fade after a few weeks or months. This gives doctors time to monitor how the person reacts before deciding if a more permanent option would be suitable.

Silicone or acrylic plugs. The first permanent punctal plugs that doctors will try typically consist of silicone or stable acrylic. They can last for years, but it is also possible to remove them if the body reacts negatively. These plugs may be visible, though usually not enough to be distracting.

Intracanalicular plugs. These plugs go further into the tear duct and may stay in place for many years, offering a more permanent solution to leaking eyes. As they sit more deeply in the duct, surgery may be necessary to remove them. Doctors will, therefore, usually try other plugs first to check how a person reacts to them.

I’m guessing that you have had the second kind inserted? These can stick out a little. I’ve read that irritation can occur if the wrong sized plug is used. Perhaps this is what has happened to you?

I really want to try the plugs but worry that my eye doctor will have me go through the three different kinds (I would prefer to just jump to the third type of plug - you know, get it done in one shot).

I hope you get some relief with today’s appt. Please let us know how you make out.

[Froogleme]

Hi - I first had punctal plugs fitted about 20 years ago. I seem to remember them being a bit uncomfortable for the first few days but from then on I've not been aware of them. One did come out during the first year when I was rubbing my eye too enthusiastically - but they just replaced it. They seem to last for ever! I would suggest that if they are still uncomfortable after a week or so you should ask to have a smaller size fitted.

[rosserk]

Hi everyone thanks for the replys!

I’ve had them removed at the eye casualty unit, they were resting against my eyeball and scratching the cornea.

Apparently my punctum is turned inwards towards my eye and they would have continued to make my eye sore. It was such a relief to have them out!

I am going to ring a few Ophthalmologists and see if any have had any success with Botox. Otherwise I’m stuck with what I’ve got!

[Aim4Health]

Hi. I have had punctal plugs for years with never any pain other than the discomfort of inserting them. My opthalmologist did a Schirmer Test to see how dry my eyes are. It showed my eyes are very very dry. After accidentally losing a few plugs from rubbing my eyes, my doctor suggested sealing (cauterising) my tear ducts, instead of using the plugs. (I guess this is not reversible but the plugs are expensive and fall out from time to time). This has been done and I am happy with the result. I still use some eye drops, 2 or 3 times a week vs 6 times a day before plugs/ sealing. This may be worth discussing with your eye doctor if your eyes are very dry. Good luck