Punctal Plugs
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Posted by: Dee in OR ®

12/24/2002, 13:19:27
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Can anyone shed some light on the use of punctal plugs for blephs. A woman in my dystonia support group needs some info. Thank you and do you mind if I print out the posts to give to this woman since she does not have a computer?

DeeOR







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Re: Punctal Plugs
Re: Punctal Plugs -- Dee in OR Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Lynn Yarbrough ®

12/24/2002, 13:53:00
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As far as I know, punctal plugs have no effect whatever on the spasms that characterize BEB, but they do help with the dry eyes that result. They give some relief but don't deal with the basic problem.

--- Lynn







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Re: Punctal Plugs
Re: Punctal Plugs -- Dee in OR Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Virginia ®

12/24/2002, 17:41:13
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There are four puncta - inner corner of each eye, top and bottom lid. These are where the tears drain out of the eye. Plugs can be put in the top ones, the bottom ones or all four. Like Lynn said, this is primarily to conserve the tears produced and thus reduce dry eye symptoms. It has been theorized that dry eyes may be a contributing factor in developing BEB. Dry eyes also contribute to photophobia. While plugging the puncta is certainly not going to eliminate the BEB, it can definitely make your eyes more comfortable.

I had my lower puncta plugged and then cauterized (plugs wouldn't stay in) four years ago and it definitely helped the dryness. Recently I had my upper puncta plugged. Unfortunately the slight buildup of tears caused my vision to blur and my eyes to feel irritated, so I had them removed.

Hope this helps. Feel free to use this any way you would like and to ask more questions if I left out something.

Virginia in AL







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