Help me out on Cautery

[Jade9923]

Hi Folks,

I'm still sruggling with comfort in my one eye. I'm the one who had a silicone plug in one of my punctums for 14 years and it finally came out. We have tried to find another to fit my huge punctum but they all seem to fall out. The intercannular ones don't seem to help at all.

Can anyone who has had cautery comment on the following for me:

1. Does anyone else have large punctums and did this make it harder for the cautery to hold.

2. What was the process for the procedure.

3. Most importantly, When can I go back to work. I just started a new job so this is going to be an issue for me.

4. Positives or negative comments on cautery in general.

Thanks a bunch
Jade

[Eli]

I'll tell you what I know, although I have not had it done myself.
The procedure is quite simple. The punctum is first numbed with an anesthetic drop. The cautery device is basically a tiny heating element loop that is placed into the punctum and then heated by passing a current through it. I recall reading that heat is applied for only a few seconds and then the other side is done. I also believe that you can go right back to work after the procedure. A new technique is using a laser as a heat source to perform the cautery. One downside is that the punctum can "re-open" over time, although generally this is considered a permanent closure. (as opposed to a plug-) The upside is that there is nothing left protruding that could rub against your eye as some plugs can. Hopefully some other members can share their experience with you.
Regards,
Eli

[dianat]

I've had all punctae closed by cautery. I have a story on here somewhere about it. You could return to work immediately after your appt. I don't recall feeling any pain...except for the nasty numbing shot. It wasn't comfortable, but was done quickly.

Best of luck with it.

D

[indrep]

Jade if your puncta are that large perhaps they could be sutured. Also the OASIS Form Fit canalicular plug increases up to 20 times the diameter of 0.3. That might also be worth trying before cautery.