Is tear duct plugging normal after blepharoplasty?

Dear Doctor, On Feb.10 of this year I had upper and lower blepharoplasty. Ever since my eyes have been very dry and irritated. I use lacri-lube on my bottom lids at night and artificial tears during the day. My surgeon has suggested I see an opthamologist. He said my tear ducts may need to be plugged. Is this normal? What is your opinion? This has been a very stressful event for me, and I am about ready to scream. My vision seems to be ok, but the feeling I get in my eyes is like something is in them. Earlier after my surgeory they actually woke me up for months and sometimes with pain. Even now at times they look bloodshot. Thanks for any suggestion that might help.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I've seen it many times before.  The eyes may not close all the way after blepharoplasty and patients really need to use very frequent (every 30-60 minutes) preservative free artificial tears such as refresh celluvisc and use refresh pm ointment at bedtime.  It is particularly common in older females but I've also seen it in oldelr men as well.  I like to lookout for the dry eye types before recommending this type of surgery for patients and can start dry eye therepy like restasis and punctum plugs even before surgery.  
The plugs, by the way would block the escape of tears away from the eye to the nose so tears remained on the eye for a longer time period.  Nice idea for you.