eye plugs

I am having trouble with my eyes at night. They get very itchy and I feel like they have sand in them. This has been going on for the last two years.  The only relief i get it to close them and go to sleep. My optomologist has scheduled me for eye plugs after doing a test for dry eyes, He said the eyes were very dry.  However, i did not think to ask if they would be permanent. Should I have this done and are there any side effects to this procedure.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You should have the dissolving, trial plugs first and they will only last a week or less.  If you like the effect, then silicone plugs can be placed.  They are extremely safe and can be removed at any time if you feel irritation from them.  About 10-15% of patients feel the silicone plugs and ask to have them removed.  If you are having dryness at night when sleeping, these plugs may not help much with that, so you should continue to use a lubricant like refresh pm or genteal gel at bedtime. The plugs often help for dryness during the day, however.  Please stay away from non-dissolving intracanalicular plugs like Herrick Plugs or smart plugs.  They sometimes cannot be removed.  As long as the silcone plug has a top on it that allows the plug to be removed at any time, you should be alright.  Good Luck, and don't worry, these plugs are very easy to insert.

MJK MD

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear gterri,

I would speak with your eyeMD about first using temporary plugs to determine if a benefit occurs, and then, perment ones. There are many types of permanent plugs so you might want to ask your doctor whether they are placed inside of the lacrimal outflow path or just at the tip.  I would not recommend the ones [except temporary].

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California