Awareness of punctal occlusion as a treatment option is growing among eye care professionals seeking to address the symptoms of dry eye disease (DED).
Whitney Hauser, OD, considers punctual occlusion a key tool for treating patients with dry eye symptoms.
Hear what she has to say about the importance of predictable punctum plugs:
“I find that punctal plugs, particularly the absorbable version, are really useful in my practice,” Hauser says.
Learn more about the Paragon BioTeck absorbable punctal occlusion products
As Hauser notes, dry eye disease is variable, its progression often changes over time. Temporary punctal occlusion provides physicians with an alternative to eye drops and artificial tears. Absorbable plugs also allow physicians to reassess patients’ symptoms within a specific time frame (Ervin, Wojciechowski, Schein 2010). For Hauser, predictability is foremost when deciding which plug to use.
“I like using the Comfortear® Lacrisolve™ 180 because I find it reliable and predictable at the absorption rate. Other plugs tend to migrate, tend to dissolve more quickly and I love the predictability of this plug.”
Paragon BioTeck, Inc., has developed a line of absorbable and non-absorbable punctum plugs to provide occlusion therapy for treatment of symptoms associated with dry eye disease, which may result from allergies, cataracts, or contact lens intolerance. Patients who are unsure whether occlusion therapy is right for them should talk with their eye doctor.
Whitney Hauser, OD, is a dry eye treatment specialist practicing in Memphis, TN.
Citations:
- Ervin A-M, Wojciechowski R, Schein O. “Punctal occlusion for dry eye syndrome.“ The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2010.
