Treat Dry Eye Syndrome with Punctal Occlusion❗ ft. Plugs

Hello, this is Dr. Park Jin-hyung, Chief Director of St. Mary's Jin Eye Clinic!

Lately, more and more people are suffering from severe dry eye syndrome due to the dry weather and fine dust.

Treatments for dry eye syndrome include artificial tears, eye drops, Omegaven IV fluid therapy, and IPL laser treatment.

Treat Dry Eye Syndrome with Punctal Occlusion❗ ft. Plugs — The pathway of tear production in the lacrimal gland and drainage through the tear ducts

Another widely performed procedure is punctal occlusion, which involves blocking the tear drainage pathway with plugs

to help keep sufficient tears on the surface of the eye.

Treat Dry Eye Syndrome with Punctal Occlusion❗ ft. Plugs 사진 2 — PCL Plug

These plugs are made of a collagen-based material called E-Caprolactone-L-Lactide copolymer (PCL),

and they dissolve naturally about 2 months after insertion.

Traditional permanent plugs with exposed caps often cause foreign body sensation or pain, and there are many cases where the plug falls out halfway through.

Treat Dry Eye Syndrome with Punctal Occlusion❗ ft. Plugs 사진 3 — Traditional permanent plug

The PCL plugs used at St. Mary's Jin Eye Clinic are inserted deep inside the tear duct, causing virtually no foreign body sensation,

Treat Dry Eye Syndrome with Punctal Occlusion❗ ft. Plugs 사진 4 — PCL plug insertion

and because they dissolve and disappear on their own, they eliminate such discomforts!

Treat Dry Eye Syndrome with Punctal Occlusion❗ ft. Plugs 사진 5

Dry eye syndrome fundamentally involves an insufficient tear film on the ocular surface. In severe cases, it can cause corneal epithelial erosion where the epithelial layer sheds,

leading to stinging, grittiness, and eye pain.

Because plugs physically block tear drainage through the tear duct, they offer excellent relief for this type of dry eye syndrome.

For those struggling with dry eye discomfort,

Treat Dry Eye Syndrome with Punctal Occlusion❗ ft. Plugs 사진 6

we highly recommend visiting St. Mary's Jin Eye Clinic to receive comprehensive dry eye therapies, including punctal plugs!

St. Mary's Jin Eye Clinic 1F, 4F, 5F, 337 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul

#StMarysJinEyeClinic #JinEyeClinic #Ophthalmology #Presbyopia #Cataract #Multifocal #Retina #Glaucoma #DryEye #DryEyeSyndrome #MacularDegeneration #RetinalDisease #CataractSurgery #GangnamEyeClinic #StMarysEye #PresbyopiaSurgery #EyeProfessor #LASIK #LASEK #GangnamLASIK #SMILELASIK #ArtificialTears #ContactLens #PainlessLASEK #2DayLASEK #EyeDisease #IPL #SkinCare #TotalCare #Laser #AntiAging #Whitening #Lutein #Lenses

Frequently Asked Questions

How does punctal occlusion treat dry eye syndrome?

By blocking the tear ducts where tears normally drain away, punctal plugs help maintain an adequate layer of tears on the ocular surface. This helps relieve symptoms caused by dry eyes, such as grittiness, stinging, and corneal epithelial shedding.

Do PCL plugs need to be removed after the procedure?

No, there is no need for removal. PCL plugs are made of a collagen-based biomaterial that naturally dissolves and is absorbed by the body about 2 months after insertion.

Is there severe foreign body sensation or pain after plug insertion?

Discomfort and pain are significantly minimized. Unlike conventional permanent plugs, PCL plugs are inserted deep within the tear duct, so issues like feeling a foreign object or the plug falling out are rare.

What other treatments are available for dry eye syndrome besides punctal occlusion?

Other treatments include artificial tears and prescribed eye drops, Omegaven IV fluid therapy, and IPL laser treatment. Depending on the severity and underlying causes of your symptoms, appropriate treatments can be selected or combined for the best results.