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A technique for preventing spontaneous loss of lacrimal punctal plugs
Hiroto Obata1, Nobuhiro Ibaraki, Tadahiko Tsuru
1Department of Ophthalmology, Jichi Medical School, Minamikawachi-machi, Kawachi-gun, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan. obatah@jichi.ac.jp
Purpose:
To describe a technique for the prevention of spontaneous loss of lacrimal punctal plugs.
Design:
Interventional case series.
Methods:
Four consecutive patients (10 puncta in seven eyes) with severe dry eyes who experienced repeated spontaneous plug loss underwent punctal occlusion by suturing plugs with 10-0 polypropylene sutures.
Results:
All punctal plugs were fitted to lacrimal puncta by anchoring the sutures. Plug retention rate was 80% at 6 months after the procedure.
Conclusion:
Suturing punctal plugs is effective in the production of long-term punctal closure in patients with repeated spontaneous plug loss.
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