In our previous posts, we've discussed various ways to alleviate dry eye symptoms, such as using artificial tears or prescription eye drops. Today, we're going to dive into another effective treatment for dry eyes – punctal plugs. Learn about the different types of punctal plugs, how they're inserted, their potential side effects, and how they can greatly improve your quality of life. If you are in the Santa Clarita area and seeking relief from dry eye, give us a call at (661) 775-1860 as we would love to help you out.
Punctal plugs are tiny devices used to treat dry eyes by occluding the puncta, small openings located in the inner corners of the upper and lower eyelids. These openings are responsible for draining tears from the surface of your eyes, maintaining a balance between tear production and drainage. By blocking these openings, punctal plugs prevent tears from draining too quickly, allowing them to stay on the surface of the eyes longer. This provides increased moisture, lubrication, and comfort, effectively alleviating dry eye symptoms and improving overall eye health.
Temporary (Dissolvable) Punctal Plugs: Made from a collagen material, these plugs dissolve and are absorbed by the body within a few months. They're ideal for patients experiencing temporary dryness due to refractive surgery, such as LASIK, or as a trial to see if permanent plugs would be beneficial. Temporary plugs are also useful for individuals with seasonal dry eye issues or those undergoing short-term medications that cause dryness.
Semi-Permanent Punctal Plugs: Made from silicone material, these plugs last for several years but can be removed at any time. They're suitable for patients with chronic dry eye symptoms, providing long-lasting relief and improved eye comfort. Semi-permanent plugs are particularly helpful for those with severe dry eye conditions or those who haven't found adequate relief from artificial tears or prescription eye drops.
Our optometrist in Santa Clarita will determine the appropriate size of punctal plugs for your eyes, based on an examination and assessment of your tear drainage system. Our eye doctor, Dr. Babakhan prefers to numb only the puncta using a Q-tip with numbing drops. This targeted approach minimizes discomfort during the procedure. Inserting punctal plugs is generally not painful, but patients may experience slight discomfort or pressure during the process. Typically, only the lower punctum is plugged, but some cases may require plugging the upper punctum as well, depending on the severity of dry eye symptoms and the patient's individual needs.
After the procedure, patients can immediately resume their daily routines without any restrictions. Side effects are rare but may include tearing, irritation at the puncta, or minor discomfort. If side effects occur, the punctal plugs can be easily removed by our eye care professional. It's important to note that punctal plugs are not always the initial course of treatment for dry eyes; artificial tears or prescription eye drops may be recommended first, depending on the severity of the dryness. Punctal plugs serve as an additional treatment option for patients who need more advanced dry eye management.
Take our dry eye assessment to see if your symptoms indicate that you are suffering from treatable dry eye disease https://amplifyeyecaresantaclarita.com/dry-eye/dry-eye-quiz/
Are you struggling with dry eyes and seeking effective relief? Get in touch with Amplify EyeCare Santa Clarita to book an appointment with Dr. Babakhan. Our skilled team will collaborate with you to identify the best treatment for your dry eye symptoms, be it artificial tears, prescription eye medications, heating and expression of the meibomian glands, specialty contact lenses, amniotic membranes, or punctal plugs. Don't let dry eyes hinder your daily life – find the support you need and experience enhanced eye comfort and an improved quality of life.
Please call at (661) 775-1860 to schedule a dry eye evaluation. Patients with dry eye visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of dry eye services for patients from Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, and San Fernando Valley.
My eight year old daughter was terrified to go to the eye doctor for fear of her eyes being dilated. The doctor was SO KID friendly! He immediately made her comfortable by engaging her in conversation. It was a geat experience.
Dr. Garbus spent an amazing amount of time to solve my very complicated visual problems. Over the years he has continually achieved results beyond what others felt possible. He is always up to date on the latest science. He is great!
Family Vision Care Valencia makes it so easy. Staff is knows what they are doing and Dr. Garbus is thorough and kept me well informed during the exam.
I have been coming to Family Vision Center for almost 20 years. Dr. Garbus has been able to help my vision when other doctors could not. Now my kids see him as well. I highly recommend this office!
The Doctor is very good. I felt on this visit he seemed rushed. I had questions to ask him but he was already with another patient. I still do not know if my eyes are the same , worse, or better.
All the staff is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and has been for all the years I have been going there.
As a caring and passionate optometrists at , our eye doctors, Dr. Babakhan and Dr. Garbus frequently confront a prevalent issue that many patients present during their visits to our centrally located practice in - dry eyes. Dr. Babakhan often gets asked about the best eye drops that can bring relief to this common, yet […]
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As an optometrist at Amplify EyeCare Santa Clarita in Santa Clarita, one of the most common questions Dr. Carl Garbus, FAAO often encounters is: "Are carrots good for your eyes?" To put it simply, yes, carrots are indeed beneficial for your eyes. Carrots are known to improve eyesight, and this is largely due to the […]
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