Dry Eyes and punctal plugs

[Longone9]

I have been plagued with dry eyes due to extended contact lens wear. After undergoing lasik, it only got worse. I had smart plugs placed in my lower tear ducts, but my eyes are still very dry. I was considering getting my upper tear ducts plugged as well, but my doctor is apprehensive because he said my tear film isnt that bad and he's worried about overtearing. Has anyone had both their upper and lower tear ducts plugged, and if so, how did it work out?

                                                          Thanks,
                                                             Jarid

[jade9923]

I have had upper and lower plugs in for over 10 years.  I had bottom plugs first and that did not help me.  Once I had the uppers, I got my life back.
Temp and smart plugs go inside the punctum so it is hard to know if they are big enough to block the space inside the punctum.  All my plugs are the kind that have a cap that is outside the eye.  The key to plugs is that they must fit tightly so that all tears are blocked from going "down the drain".  Only you know how uncomfortable you are.  Doctors many time say only to do the lowers, but they don't have to live with dry eyes.  I do have tear overflow regularly but that is a very small cost to pay for eye comfort.

[Longone9]

The doctor actually did tell me he could try the temporary ones on my upper ducts if need be. If my eyes don't overtear when the upper ducts are plugged, do you think they will after my six months of normal lasik recovery period is up?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Ask the doctor to put in some temporary plugs to see if they help.  They has about 10 to 14 days.

Dr. O.