Punctal Plugs for Dry Eye from Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates

Dry eye is no small problem for many sufferers. This syndrome, which is the result of insufficient tear production, can cause everything from soreness and redness to eventual corneal damage if the right treatment isn't implemented. There are many simple solutions for treating dry eye, but what do you do if these initial attempts don't solve your problem? That's when you need the advanced knowledge and skills of Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates. Our Columbia, SC, optometry center can provide you with highly effective dry eye treatment in the form of punctal plugs.

The Distress of Dry Eye

Dry eye is a chronic problem for many people. Natural changes that take place during aging may make the tear ducts produce less moisture. Other causes or contributing factors may include medications, autoimmune diseases, windy environments, and long hours at the computer. Eyes that don't receive adequate hydration can become red, irritated, and highly sensitive to light. Blurred vision and eye fatigue are other common symptoms. If you have a chronic case of dry eye, don't take it lightly or try to ignore it. Excessive dryness over a long period makes the corneas vulnerable to injury and disease. They can even become deeply scarred, creating long-term vision impairment.

Punctal Plugs: An Advanced Solution

Many cases of dry eye can be resolved with eye drops, changes in medical treatment, or alterations to environment and working habits. For some sufferers, however, these solutions aren't enough to keep the eyes hydrated.

Punctal plugs can help by preventing tear fluid from draining out of the eye through the tear duct openings (puncta). These tiny plugs, which are made of dissolvable materials, fit precisely into your tear ducts to help your eyes retain their moisture. Some punctal plugs are inserted at a shallow depth so that they protrude slightly from the tear duct openings, allowing for easy future removal. Other plugs are inserted more deeply, making them invisible to observers.

What to Expect

You'll be happy to learn that the insertion of punctal plugs is a quick, easy, painless outpatient procedure. Our eye doctor will examine your tear duct openings and then select the right size of plugs for your needs. If your punctal plugs need adjusting, we can make those adjustments just as quickly and easily.

Get Punctal Plugs in Columbia, SC

Are you ready for a genuine solution to your dry eyes? Call our Columbia, SC, optometry clinic, Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates, at (803) 254-6306 to ask our eye doctor about our innovative dry eye procedures that work.