Smart plugs do they disolve

[sazy123]

Hi i had smart plugs in lower eye lids for 7 months now. do they disolve after 4 months? i read somewhere they did, i dont know if ive still got them in there anymore. They didnt make much of a noticeable difference. a liitle bit a first. But i cant really remember. My optometrist who fitted them said they dont dislove after 4 months.
2nd qeustion is, i didnt get any tear overflow from them does this suggest that my problem is more of a quantity rather than qaultiy prob. i think the problem might be both but dont know coz havent had a good assement yet from doctor.

chears

[DrG]

Smart Plugs are not dissolvable. They are made from a rod of thermoplastic material that shrinks into a soft plug inside the tear duct. I guess it is possible for them to migrate through the lacrimal canals and out into the inferior meatus of the nasal passages. The problem with intracanalicular plugs is that they disappear, and one can never be certain they are still in place.

The Smart Plugs are opaque blue, and can probably be visualized in certain patients by transilluminating the eyelid.

DrG

[Peggy]

Smart plugs

Dr. G
I had a smart plug inserted in my left eye on July 7th at Wills eye hospital in Philadelphia it hurt when it was inserted and never really got comfortable in fact it drove me crazy. My local lasik dr. irrigated it out a week later I live in NY really had to push the syringe pretty roughly to move it. I have had pain ever since the plug was inserted. Just went back to Wills eye where the occuplastic surgeon did another irrigation which was painless and thinks that the plug is gone cant be 100% sure even had an ultra sound done before the irrigation they had never done one before so not quite sure what they were looking for my smart plug appeared to be clear.before insertion. Heres my problem I have severe pain down the left side of my nose...no infection to be seen or swelling the pain radiates down the left side and around my eye. I feel pressure and pain next to the inside corner of my eye. My eye aches and throbs. Can irrigation cause damage to the lacrimal system? Do you have any explanation for this problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Peggy

[DrG]

Peggy,

I am not aware of a clear SmartPlug. Here is a picture. Perhaps you had some other kind of plug, such as a Herrick intracanilicular plug implanted.

Irrigation is typically done with a syringe and a smooth tipped canula. The canula is not sharp. Obviously, sharp is a relative term, and even a dull small gauged instrument can cause damage if misused with enough force.

However, the true specialist in this area would be the oculoplastic/lacrimal surgeon. There is a good one located here in Dallas.

DrG

[Peggy]

Smart Plug

Dr. G,
It was the SmartPLUG from Medennium that was inserted, I did research before I had it put in. The occuplastic surgeon in Philadelphia was very nice ,but had no explanation for the pain. He thinks surgery is too serious right now with no evidence of infection etc. The pain is a mystery it seems... Dallas is quite a ways from NY but if you get a chance to ask your friend it would be appreciated. Thanks Peggy