Will plugging all four tear ducts help?

[tealeaf]

Currently, I have 2 permanent silicone umbrella plugs in my lower tear ducts. They do provide some relief to eye dryness but marginally. For those who are quadraplugged, appreciate if you could advise if plugging the upper tear ducts help you. Thanks!

[irish eyes]

My own experience of having all four plugged was dreadful. Scurf, general debris etc from the eyes had no means of escape and I developed cysts on the eyelids, top and bottom.

Mercifully, one of the bottom plugs came out and the doctor accepted that they weren't really working - so he removed the other lower plug.

I now have the uppers plugged; I don't know how much good they do but I certainly would not go back to having 4. Others have had better experiences though so I don't wish to influence you.

[tealeaf]

Irish eyes, thanks for your reply. My eyes have been burning recently, thus thinking of quadra-plugged. However, am also worried about toxic soup in the eyes and the cysts you mentioned.

Guess, I will try serum drops and see hope they can help.

[DryLondoner]

My lowers really help, although I do still get burning occasionally - usually when I'm exposed to the A/C for extended periods.

I do think, even with just lowers, if something gets into my eye it takes a bit longer for it to be washed out.

Great to hear that you are getting serum. When do you start on it?? I am still trying to find someone in KL who treats patients with it.

I hope it gives you some respite. How long have you now been plugged for? It can take a while (apparently according to stuff I have read on there) for the plugs to make a difference by reducing osmalarity.

DLx

[Rebecca Petris]

If you do plug the uppers consider flow controller (partial occlusion) type plugs. For a lot of people this provides the right balance.

[CATWOMAN13]

I'm in the same boat as Irish Eyes. My lowers were closed with cautery a year ago, and while it really didn't do much for me either way, my current ophthalmologist insisted that plugging my uppers was my only next move. They've been in for less than two weeks, and I am miserable. I've already been back to the doctor complaining about burning, irritation, blah blah blah. Now I'm only prenisolone drops four times a day, with no relief. When I went back, the doctor explained that I am having the pain because of the inflammation stuck on my eye surface. Duh. Why put them in before dealing with that?!?! Well I have nothing good to say about the quadra-plug option, and hope to have mine flushed out this week
Good luck!!!

[No tears in ATL]

Catwoman's experience is what mine was. The inflammation was out of control with all four plugged--the toxic soup, or backup inflammation, I've heard it called. As soon as I took out the bottom plugs, I had some relief. Right now I just have the tops plugged.

[tealeaf]

My lowers really help, although I do still get burning occasionally - usually when I'm exposed to the A/C for extended periods.

DryLondoner, glad that you are feeling better I am constantly in A/C places, be it in office, public transport and when sleeping.

Great to hear that you are getting serum. When do you start on it?? I am still trying to find someone in KL who treats patients with it.

I haven't started serum drops yet, but am going to this eye specialist who confirms has serum drops. Should start end of this month.

I hope it gives you some respite. How long have you now been plugged for? It can take a while (apparently according to stuff I have read on there) for the plugs to make a difference by reducing osmalarity.

I have the lower plugs in for 1+months. Yes, I can feel the improvement prior to being unplugged, however, the improvement is marginal, I still feel uncomfortable. How long will it take to make a difference? [/QUOTE]