Should I get punctal plugs?!
Question: Should I get punctal plugs!?
Recently (last 2 years) I have had a problem with my eyes!. The become red and painful!. I have been told this is caused by both dry eyes and allergies all throughout the year!. Recently I have begun using a mast cell stabilizer (alocril) Which I believe is beginning to work however my eyes are still dry!. But it has been mentioned that I could use punctal plugs!. Should I go ahead with this!. I also war contacts!. This has been very troubling as I hate to look people in the eye just in case my eyes are red and I must put artificial tears in my eyes every hour or so which is very annoying!. Should I get the plugs or is there another option!. I would start with the collagen plugs that go away after a few days to make sure they work for meWww@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Hi!.
of course, it's tough to fully advise you on this without the benefit of doing an eye exam, but you very well might have a combination of ocular allergies and dry eye!. If you've given the alocril an adequate trial and are still having symptoms, I'd return to your eye doctor to get further exam done!.
Many run-of-the-mill cases of dry eye are related to problems with the oil glands on the margin of your eyelid!. Eyelid hygiene (warm compresses, gently washing your eyelids with baby shampoo while your eyes are closed in the shower) can help!.
As far as the artificial tears, there are almost too many on the market, lol!. For occasional use (4 times or less a day) most any over the counter artificial tears are fine!. If you find you need them more frequently, consider preservative-free artificial tears (they come in clear plastic vials)!. You might also find a gel like Refresh PM (or other equivalent) to be helpful for use right before bed!.
If these measures don't relieve your symptoms, you may need another exam!. Testing can verify whether there is a deficiency of tear production or if there is an underlying medical condition that is affecting your tear glands!.
As far as the punctal plugs, they are often used after a regimen of over the counter and prescription drops have been tried!. Regarding the dissolvable plugs, I don't really use them in my practice!. I think the dissolvable ones are kind of a racket!.!.!.it lets a provider charge you once for the dissolveable plugs, then again for the more permanent silicone ones!.
If treatment of your dry eye becomes very difficult, I'd recommend seeking the opinion of an ophthalmologist with training in cornea/external disease either by referral or by using the Find and Eye MD search engine on www!.aao!.org!.
Hope this helps!
-JohnWww@Answer-Health@Com
of course, it's tough to fully advise you on this without the benefit of doing an eye exam, but you very well might have a combination of ocular allergies and dry eye!. If you've given the alocril an adequate trial and are still having symptoms, I'd return to your eye doctor to get further exam done!.
Many run-of-the-mill cases of dry eye are related to problems with the oil glands on the margin of your eyelid!. Eyelid hygiene (warm compresses, gently washing your eyelids with baby shampoo while your eyes are closed in the shower) can help!.
As far as the artificial tears, there are almost too many on the market, lol!. For occasional use (4 times or less a day) most any over the counter artificial tears are fine!. If you find you need them more frequently, consider preservative-free artificial tears (they come in clear plastic vials)!. You might also find a gel like Refresh PM (or other equivalent) to be helpful for use right before bed!.
If these measures don't relieve your symptoms, you may need another exam!. Testing can verify whether there is a deficiency of tear production or if there is an underlying medical condition that is affecting your tear glands!.
As far as the punctal plugs, they are often used after a regimen of over the counter and prescription drops have been tried!. Regarding the dissolvable plugs, I don't really use them in my practice!. I think the dissolvable ones are kind of a racket!.!.!.it lets a provider charge you once for the dissolveable plugs, then again for the more permanent silicone ones!.
If treatment of your dry eye becomes very difficult, I'd recommend seeking the opinion of an ophthalmologist with training in cornea/external disease either by referral or by using the Find and Eye MD search engine on www!.aao!.org!.
Hope this helps!
-JohnWww@Answer-Health@Com
I do not think tha the collagen plugs are a racket!. We use them for very prcise reasons, mostly for people right before of after LASIK surgery, since LASIK tends to dry the eye and hamper healing!. The collagen plugs dissolve by themselves in a month or so!. The other reason we would use them is on a scared patient, like yourself!. But there really is no reason to be scared!. The doctor first dilates the punctum with a small instrument!. You will onyl feel a little pinch at your tear duct area!. Then the same instrument is used to put in the small microscopic plug!. The doctor may try different sizes to get the best fit!. I had them in place for a while when I was pregnant, my eyes were so dry!. It helped a lot!. Sometimes I could feel them (only If I closed my eyes and squinted real hard ;) ) but they were great!. Mine eventaully fell out, but I was better by then!.
My recommendation is to try them and if you don't like them, have the doctor remove them!. It is a simple enough procedure to repeat or reverse if you need to!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
My recommendation is to try them and if you don't like them, have the doctor remove them!. It is a simple enough procedure to repeat or reverse if you need to!.Www@Answer-Health@Com