Punctal Plugs for Dry Eye in Bluffton & Hilton Head

Your eyes drain tears through two tiny openings in the inner corner of each eyelid, called the puncta. Tears flow into them and down into the nose — which is why your nose runs when you cry.

For people with dry eye, that drainage can carry tears away faster than the eye can afford to lose them. Punctal plugs are tiny inserts placed in those openings to slow the drainage down, so your natural tears stay on the surface of the eye for longer.

At Goulas Eye, punctal plugs are placed by Dr. Mark Goulas and Dr. Erin Benjamin.

Who they help

Punctal plugs are most useful for people whose eyes do not produce enough tears to keep the surface comfortable. They are commonly considered when:

• artificial tears help, but you need them constantly and they wear off quickly
• dryness is causing burning, grittiness, or vision that blurs and clears as you blink
• contact lenses have become uncomfortable because of dryness
• prescription drops alone have not been enough

They work by conserving the tears you already make, so they tend to help most when tear quantity is the main problem. When dryness comes mainly from tears evaporating too quickly — often because of blocked oil glands in the eyelids — other treatments usually matter more, and plugs may be one part of a wider plan. Working out which is going on is the purpose of a proper dry eye evaluation.

What the procedure is like

Placing punctal plugs is a quick, in-office procedure. It typically takes only a few minutes, needs no incision, and most people find it causes little or no discomfort.

The plug is gently inserted into the tear duct opening using fine instruments while you sit in the exam chair. You can usually return straight to your normal day afterwards — including driving.

Most people are not aware of the plugs once they are in place.

Temporary and longer-lasting plugs

There are two broad types.

Temporary plugs are made of material that dissolves on its own, typically over days to a few months. They are a sensible way to find out whether plugs help your particular dry eye before committing to something longer-lasting.

Semi-permanent plugs, usually made of silicone, are designed to stay in place for much longer. They can be removed if needed.

What to expect afterwards

Most people notice their eyes feel more comfortable, and many find they need artificial tears less often. Improvement is usually gradual rather than immediate.

A few things are worth knowing:

• Watery eyes can occur if the plugs work a little too well. This can usually be adjusted
• A plug can occasionally fall out, sometimes without you noticing. It can be replaced
• Mild irritation in the corner of the eye can happen, especially at first
• Infection is rare, but let us know about redness, discharge or increasing discomfort

Plugs can be removed if they are not helping or are causing a problem.

Part of managing dry eye, not always the whole answer

Punctal plugs are one tool among several. Many people do best with a combination — plugs to hold tears on the eye, alongside treatment for the inflammation or oil-gland problems that often drive dry eye in the first place. See dry eye diagnosis and treatment for the full picture.

If you have dry eye and are not sure whether plugs are right for you, start with a comprehensive eye exam and mention the symptoms. That is the conversation that decides it.