Dr. Paul M. Karpecki on his Go-To Choice for Punctum Plugs
“My practice has changed greatly,” states Paul M. Karpecki, OD, FAAO, while speaking about emerging technologies in the treatment of dry eye during a 2015 reception hosted by Paragon BioTeck, Inc.
Despite the many advancements Karpecki mentions during his speaking engagement, there is one treatment he claims he uses for all first-time punctal occlusion patients: the Comfortear® Lacrisolve™ 180 Absorbable Punctum Plugs
Hear what Paul Karpecki, OD, has to say about these punctum plugs:
“I find when I put a 180 day – or six month – plug in, these patients will get much more than 6 months of effect.”
While addressing a reception held for attendees of the nearby Great Western Council of Optometry show, Karpecki notes he favors intracanalicular, 180-day dissolving plugs over surface plugs: “we have the best of all worlds.”
Karpecki points out that intracanicular plugs don’t cause rubbing of the upper cap of the glands and patients don’t experience any extrusion. He uses the Comfortear® Lacrisolve™ 180 Absorbable Punctum Plugs for all first-time occlusion therapy patients, and if a person responds well, he might then consider the permanent Comfortear® Punctum Plugs.
Paragon BioTeck, Inc., has developed a line of absorbable and non-absorbable punctum plugs to provide occlusion therapy to treat symptoms associated with dry eye disease that 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.
In addition to the benefits for his patients, Karpecki enjoys how easy they are for doctors to insert into the puncta.
“Really, truly, when you start using this, you’re going to find it’s probably one of the easiest plugs you’ll ever insert.”
Karpecki shares a slide describing the material composition of the plugs and the available sizes before showing a short video of one of the plugs being inserted. The process is quick, as the plug appears to insert with little effort due to the suction mechanism of the puncta.
Between the ease of insertion and the efficacy of results across many patients, Dr. Karpecki makes a good case for why Comfortear® Lacrisolve™ 180 Absorbable Punctum Plugs are his “favorite go-to” treatment for first-time punctual occlusion cases.
