Hello everyone-
I am experience extreme disomfort due to dryness in my eyes. I wear contacts, which is the only time my eyes are irratated-with them in, I cannot even see. I talked to my doctor, and he wants me to consider having eye plugs put in. I'm very apprehensive about having an object placed in my tear ducts, however. If anyone has had eye plugs put in for dryness and is a contact wearer, could you please post the process, and discomfort, adn the overall outcome of it? I'm very young, and pretty nervous...thanks

Hi. I had the eye plug put in about 1yr ago, the procedure was painless and took about 5 min. I forget I have them.. lol no problem with them at all..

I had dry eyes and the doctor put plugs in my tear ducts several months ago. It was the best thing I've done for myself in a long time. There's no pain when you get them put in and you'll be glad you did it.

Hey Erin. The news is good. I too was unable to wear contacts because of "dry eyes". A cornea specialist suggested punctal plugs. He installed collagin plugs first to see if I liked them. Collagins dissolve away in about one week. I loved them and had immediate success wearing contacts. I had "permanent" ones installed and I highly recommend them. The permanant one can be removed. You will feel a minor pinch when they are put in. Good luck and please let us know how you make out.

I have also had eye plugs put in, and I loved them. The only problem that I ever had with them is that once they are put in, the tear duct tends to expand/stretch, and they can loosen or fall out. The only way you will know if they fall out is if your eyes suddenly become dry again. But then it is no problem to just insert another plug. Mine continued to fall out, so my doctor cuarterized my tear ducts (burned them until they closed) and yes, that hurt when he did it, but it had to be done, and it has helped with the dryness. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Erin, you wanted to know about the process of putting in the tear duct plugs. First, your doctor will numb your eyes with an anesthetic drop (or he should, anyway!). That may burn a little bit for a minute or so. Then you'll put your chin in the cup as if you are having an eye exam, and he will use a tool (I am not sure if it is a tweezers, or forceps, or what it is called, but it is long and thin he can grab the plug with one end) and he will gently push the plug in and twist it into your tear duct, and when it goes in, you will feel a little "pop" or pinch. It is really painless and it can make a world of difference. I too am very young, and I was scared at first, but there is really nothing to be afraid of. I have had a lot of experience with some rather severe eye problems myself, and if you want to ask me any questions, please feel free. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif