| What Is Dry Eye? |
| In people with dry eye, the eye produces fewer or less quality tears and is unable to keep its surface lubricated and comfortable. Read More... |
| How is Dry Eye Treated? |
| Artificial Tears: This is often the first option for dry eyes. If you do not respond to this treatment, punctal plugs may be the next step to take. |
| Punctal Plugs: For people with severe cases of dry eye, temporary or permanent closure of the tear drain also known as punctal plugs (small openings at the inner corner of the eyelids where tears drain from the eye) may be helpful. |
| Does it hurt when you get punctal plugs installed? |
| No. It is a quick procedure that happens within minutes and is painless. |
| Do punctal plugs hurt once they are installed? |
| No. Most patients can't even feel that they are installed. |
| How do I get punctal plugs? |
| Make an appointment at DeltaVision Optical. One of our optometrists will give you a dry eye evaluation to see if you are a good candidate for this procedure. |
| What happens during a dry eye evaluation? |
| A doctor at DeltaVision will perform the following tests: |
| Ocular Staining: Small levels of dyes are used on your eye to measure the dryness of the ocular surface. The less staining, the moister the eye. |
| Shirmer Test: FIlter paper is entered into a lower eyelid for a few minutes to determine the amount of tears absorbed. |
| Ocular Protection Index (OPI): OPI measures the tear film break-up time and the time between blinks. When the TFBUT is more than the time between blinks, your ocular surface is protected. |
| Are punctal plugs covered under insurance? |
| Yes. Most insurance providers cover this procedure. Contact us to find out if your insurance provider covers punctal plugs. |