Punctal Plugs (Again)

[LaDiva]

I'd love a quick post here from folks who have comfortable plugs. I am considering getting some again. The first sets I had were quite uncomfortable, but I've heard that they shouldn't hurt. So, what type don't hurt?

[LauraK]

I actually had plugs put in two weeks ago. The first few days were very uncomfortable; however now I am use to them. I believe they were what he called parachute/umbrella shape. This kind is easier to take out vs. those that go all the way into the canal. Good luck. Fit seems to be the big issue.

[Rebecca Petris]

Unfortunately some of the types that are the most comfortable are also the ones with the greatest tendency to complications (as everyone who has ever read my diatribes about SmartPlugs knows ).

[farmgirl]

I am not a plug expert but I can tell you that I had removable (don't know exactly what kind) of plug put in my uppers for 6 months. They were really uncomfortable in the beginning but it settled down a bit later. Having said that, they did bug me constantly feeling like they were scratching my eyeballs. I couldn't wait to get them out. I wasn't even aware that there were different kinds so hopefully someone can advise you and you won't be uncomfortable the whole time like I was.

As we speak I have dissolving ones in both to see if that helps and if it does I will either cauterize them both or have the permanent plugs put in. I understand that permanent are not (easily) removable and seem to recall somewhere that they can have problems with infection which I do NOT need. It's a dilemma. For sure you do not want to do anything permanent until you are sure that your situation is permanent like mine so you are going to be stuck with experimenting with removable plugs. I suffer from Sjogrens and my glands are basically destroyed and will never function so if I close them permanently I am never going to wish I hadn't. Good luck and I hope you find something that works.

[farmgirl]

Yes-s-s-s-s-s Rebecca. Thank you so-o-o-o-o much for coughing up the $50 bucks for this abstract. Do I want more problems with my eyes NO. Do I need more problems with my eyes NO. If I do go permanent which I probably eventually will since I have no chance of recovery, there is now no question, it will be cauterization.

Even a 1% chance of a complication would be too much for me.

[Rebecca Petris]

Scary wasn't it? 6.6% of patients in the Mazow study (that was a huge study, almost a thousand patients over a 15 year period) had to have surgery to deal with complications of intracanalicular plugs. EEEK. 'Swhy I will always like external plugs, dissolving plugs, and cautery better.

There's no free lunch... they ALL have their tradeoffs and risks at some level, but personally, I prefer tradeoffs that cannot involve someone digging around in my eyelids with a scalpel.

p.s. I've personally had SmartPlugs, which were perfectly comfortable. I had no idea whether they were really there though. One of them eventually came out in my kleenex, and I don't know what happened to the other one (hope it's not still there, lol). After all the studies & case reports that have emerged since then I consider myself pretty lucky. I've also had Eagle FlexPlugs (those are punctal type), and had issues with the sizing. One kept getting squeezed out and scratched my eye. I have not had any plugs for nearly 10 years, but if I were to be motivated to get plugs again (entirely possible, if I can ever afford it), I would be looking for a doc who prides himself on properly sizing punctal plugs and see what s/he has to say.

[LaDiva]

Thanks to everyone for some great information. A special thank you to you, Rebecca. This gives me a good bit of direction. Looks like I'll go back to the specialist I paid for myself, as I believe he will do the best job. (...and he is the one who said they shouldn't hurt! ) He first suggested occlusion, and then when we were done with treatments, he said that Restasis should do the trick, but so far it's not enough. Thanks again!

[SunshineinCalgary]

Ladiva,

I guess I must be lucky "in some way". I have permanent plugs inserted (lower ones for 8 years and upper ones for a year) As a matter of fact, I don't even know my lower ones were there until my optometrist told me. I guess the success of plugs depends very much on your eye specialist. I know some didn't want to do the plugs as they had little experience doing them. My specialist was very good in doing plugs, that seems to be his expertise !!!

[LaDiva]

Well Sunshine, I've been feeling like a trip to Calgary! Happy to hear you have had success. I need to change my insurance coverage so there is a wider choice of care providers! Thanks for the info.

[farmgirl]

Hey! I just read that cauterized ducts can be opened again - yes-s-s, now the prospect of doing something permanent is not so scary

[LaDiva]

Hope something works out for you farmgirl! Thank you for the info.

[farmgirl]

Thanks La Diva. I had my first day with both upper and lower on one eye done with the dissolving plug (lasts about 3 weeks and you don't feel them at all) and it was the best day (for that eye at least) that I have since this all started 2 1/2 years ago. So glad i found this form to give me more stuff to try. I have had uppers (didn't help) then lowers (didn't help) but never both at the same time. I am a happy camper right at the moment

[glenda]

I had plugs put in on May 28. The first day I could feel the one in my left eye, but the 2nd day, I could not feel anything. I do not know which kind I have, all I know is that they are a different size in each eye. (mine are lower plugs) I think they are umbrella, as when I pull my lower lash lid down, I can see a white top. Otherwise, I would never know they were there. They have helped. I am not pouring the drops in every 45 minutes. Sometimes I can go 2 hours without putting in drops. Over night I put in liposic around 9pm and when I wake at 8, there is no gunk on my lids and my eyes are not dry.

[farmgirl]

So Happy they made a noticable difference for you Glenda. I sent you a private message, look under notifications on the top right menu to find it. I talked to my Dr Monday about doing cauterization and he says they can't be reopened, now I don't know what to believe...crud