Punctal Plug Granuloma After Blepharoplasty.

This case report discusses a diagnosis of foreign body granuloma resulting from a punctal plug in a patient aged 66 years with chronic dry eye and a history of blepharoplasty.

Causes of Punctal Plug Loss in Sjögren's Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term maintenance rate and associated factors of silicone punctal plugs in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 163 patients with SS who underwent silicone punctal plug insertion between December 2013 and July 2021 at Severance Hospital. The status of punctal plug insertions was classified into the following three categories by the clinician: maintenance, spontaneous loss, and intended removal. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the risk factors for spontaneous loss. RESULTS: The mean maintenance period was 12.8±15.3 (median 7.07) months. The rate of spontaneous loss was 58%, and the rate of punctal plug removal by the clinician was 14%. The number of prior plug insertions was a risk factor for spontaneous loss [hazard ratio (HR) 1.055, p=0.035]. The upper eyelid punctum was at a higher risk than the lower one (p=0.042). Small-sized plugs showed a significantly higher risk for spontaneous loss than large-sized ones (HR 1.287, p=0.035). Flow-controller type plugs were more vulnerable to spontaneous loss than complete occluders [Micro Flow™ vs. EagleFlex® (HR 2.707, p=0.008) and Micro Flow™ vs. Ultraplug™ (HR 3.402, p=0.005)]. The most common reason for removal was tear overflow (5.6%). CONCLUSION: In repeated insertion, characteristics of the punctal plug, including the type and size, and location of plug insertion, influenced the spontaneous loss of plugs. The management of punctal plugs, including insertion, maintenance, and removal, requires personalized strategies for versatile situations.

In situ formation of injectable organogels for punctal occlusion and sustained release of therapeutics: design, preparation, in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

The treatment of dry eye mainly includes instillation of cyclosporine A (CsA) nanoemulsion or the use of punctal plugs. Therefore, in this study, a novel injectable in situ organogel plug was developed using CsA as a model drug, stearic acid, injectable soybean oil, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) (1.25:10:0.6, w/v/v) as gel materials, to provide a dual mechanism for dry eye treatment. The formulated CsA injectable in situ organogel (CsA-OG) was evaluated in terms of stability, in vitro release, rheology, ocular irritation, punctal occlusion tests, and ocular distribution assessment. In vivo ocular distribution investigations showed that CsA-OG achieved considerably higher Cmax (1.94, 1.92 and 1.97-fold respectively) and AUC0-72h in the cornea, conjunctiva, and sclera (2.49, 2.27 and 2.15-fold respectively) than ciclosporin eye drops (p < 0.05). In vitro model evaluation demonstrated significant decrease in flow flux to 52.78 % at 2 min after CsA-OG injection. According to evaluation of the in vivo model, the organogel plug can completely block the lacrimal passages and greatly decrease the lacrimal drainage rate (p < 0.05). The above results suggest that these intracanalicular CsA-OG plugs can offer more extensive clinical applications than existing lacrimal drainage plugs and may act as a drug delivery system.

Designing and making an open source, 3D-printed, punctal plug with drug delivery system.

With the advancement in the study of keratoconjunctivitis sicca and the scope of its treatment, punctal plugs are being widely used for the therapeutic management of dry eye disease. With the emergence of 3D printing in medicine, 3D printing of punctal plugs that have an inbuilt drug delivery system and also that can be personalized from patient to patient according to their punctum size can be a great therapeutic option. Another benefit of the device is that its printing takes a short period of time and is cost-effective. This study aimed at making an open source design and 3D printing an efficient model of a punctal plug with an inbuilt drug delivery system that can be eventually used for the treatment of various ocular diseases that require frequent drug instillation or blockage of the nasolacrimal pathway. The 3D design for the punctal plug was made using the open source application, FreeCAD, and slicing was done using the application ChituBox. After that, the plugs were printed using the LCD printer Crealty LD-002R. The material used was resin that was compatible with the Crealty LD-002R. Punctal plugs with satisfactory results were printed using the LCD printer. The punctal plugs showed suitable structure and were also easily reproduced in the 3D printer without any complications or setbacks.

The effect of punctal plugs in reducing ocular surface irritation after povidone-iodine preparation of intravitreal injection-a randomized trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of dissolvable collagen punctal plugs (CPP) in reducing ocular surface irritation after intravitreal injections (IVI). METHODS: Sixty-four subjects in the experimental group received CPP after intravitreal injections. Sixty-two controls did not receive CPP. Reductions in the Ocular Surface Disease Index© (OSDI) and Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness II (SPEED II) scores were analysed. RESULTS: Dry eye symptoms, as measured by reductions from the pre- to post-injection OSDI (p = 0.137) and SPEED II (p = 0.381) scores, did not significantly differ between the two groups. In sub-group analysis, patients with objective findings of dry eyes had significant improvement in their symptoms (p = 0.046) with CPP. The effect of CPP is not significant in those without dry eyes (p = 0.27). CONCLUSION: CPPs were not effective in reducing post-injection ocular irritation in patients with no or only mild dry eye symptoms. CPPs improved patients' post-injection comfort levels in those who had moderate-to-severe symptoms and objective findings of dry eye. Though costly CPP could be considered in selective patients. A standardized eye rinse could be a simple, efficacious, and cost-effective way to reduce post-injection ocular irritation; however, more studies are needed.

Clinical study on the effect of preloaded punctal plug in the treatment of aqueous-deficient dry eye.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of OASIS preloaded punctal plug versus Smart Plug punctal plug Retrospectively registered in the treatment of aqueous-deficient dry eye. METHODS: 47 patients were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. The control group was treated with Smart Plug punctal plug treatment, and the experimental group was treated with OASIS preloaded punctal plug treatment. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire score, Schirmer I test and break-up time (BUT) results before and after treatment, and the incidences of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: This study showed that compared with before treatment, the OSDI scores of patients were significantly improved at six months after treatment in both the experimental group and control group. After treatment, there was no significant difference in OSDI score, Schirmer I test, and BUT level between the two groups. In addition, the Smart Plug punctal plug treatment group had a significant improvement in BUT at three months after operation compared with before treatment. CONCLUSION: The OASIS preloaded punctal plug and the Smart Plug punctal plug can significantly improve dry eye symptoms. Furthermore, the OASIS preloaded punctal plug can facilitate intraoperative procedures, and the abnormal implantation due to the expansion of the embolic volume can be reduced. KEY WORDS: OSDI questionaire, Dry eye, Embolisation implantation, Preloaded punctal plug, Smart Plug punctal plug.

Lacrimal Gland Hypoplasia and Corneal Anesthesia in MIRAGE Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this report was to describe the ocular findings in Myelodysplasia, Infection, Restriction of growth, Adrenal hypoplasia, Genital problems, and Enteropathy (MIRAGE) syndrome, a multisystem congenital disorder. METHODS: This was a case report and literature review. RESULTS: An infant with MIRAGE syndrome (combined immunodeficiency with recurrent infections, growth restriction, adrenal insufficiency, 46,XY karyotype with hypovirilization, dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and dysautonomia) underwent ophthalmological evaluation because of persistent conjunctivitis during his 8-month admission in the neonatal intensive care unit. His parents noted absence of tears when crying since birth. Bilateral broad corneal epithelial defects were noted, and treatment was initiated with frequent lubricating ointment. At 9 months, his vision was estimated at 20/380 in both eyes using Teller Acuity Cards. There were persistent bilateral epithelial defects, confluent punctate epithelial erosions, low Schirmer strip wetting (right eye 3 mm and left eye 2 mm), and decreased corneal sensation. Brain magnetic resonance imaging images demonstrated hypoplastic lacrimal glands bilaterally. More aggressive lubrication and installation of punctal plugs in all 4 lids were successful at preventing further epithelial defects. CONCLUSIONS: This case presents deficient lacrimation as a manifestation of MIRAGE syndrome and is the first to identify lacrimal gland hypoplasia and corneal anesthesia. Autonomic and neurologic dysfunction have been proposed to play a role in the pathophysiology of hypolacrimation in similar syndromes and likely contributed to the poor ocular surface in this case. Patients with MIRAGE should undergo ophthalmic assessment as soon as possible after birth because early intervention is essential to preventing irreversible corneal damage.

Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids and punctal plugs in the prevention of isotretinoin-associated ocular surface disease.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids and punctal plugs on tear film and ocular surface parameters in patients receiving systemic isotretinoin therapy. METHODS: This is a prospective randomized study that included 180 eyes of 90 patients who had systemic isotretinoin therapy (120-150 mg/kg for at least 4-6 months). Exclusion criteria: DED according to the diagnostic criteria of TFOS DEWS II. Patients were assigned into three groups; (1) O3FAs/PPs group: A soft preloaded silicone plug was inserted in the inferior punctum of both eyes and received oral O3FAs two capsules twice daily total daily dose of 1040 mg/day for 6 months. (2) PPs group: A soft preloaded silicone plug was inserted in the inferior punctum of both eyes and received oral placebo. (3) Isotretinoin group: No intervention was done. At baseline, 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months of study, Ocular surface evaluation tests were done in following order: OSDI, tear osmolarity, Schirmer's I test, TBUT, ocular surface staining score, and meibomian gland expression. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The changes in measurement of ocular surface evaluation tests including ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear film breakup time (TFBUT), corneal staining, tear osmolarity, and meibomian gland expression at 6 months. RESULTS: There are significant changes between all groups at 6 months follow-up. The ocular surface parameters were better for the PPs and O3FAs/PPs groups than the isotretinoin group. The isotretinoin group showed worsening of ocular surface parameters including a significant decrease of FTBUT and an increase of OSDI score, corneal staining score, tear osmolarity, and meibomian expression score. There was no significant difference in ST1 throughout the whole study in all groups. At 6 months follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between PPs and O3FAs/PPs groups except meibomian expression score which showed a significant increase in PPs group. CONCLUSION: Our cohort highlights the beneficial effects of the combination of O3FAs supplementation with PPs in the prevention of isotretinoin-associated OSD in this sample study.

Long-term Outcomes of Punctal Cauterization in the Management of Ocular Surface Diseases.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of surgical occlusion of lacrimal puncta using thermal cautery in the management of ocular surface diseases. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 80 consecutive patients from a single academic center who underwent punctal cauterization. Patient demographics, ocular history, symptoms, and signs of ocular surface diseases pre- and post-cauterization were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients (171 puncta) were included, with an average age of 59 years and a follow-up duration of 27 months. The most common ocular morbidity was ocular graft-versus-host disease (n = 36), followed by primary keratoconjunctivitis sicca (n = 15). Indications for punctal cauterization included plug loss (n = 51), difficulty in plug fitting (n = 11), plug-related complications (n = 6), recanalization of previous cauterization (n = 7), and severe ocular surface disease requiring permanent punctal closure (n = 4). After punctal cauterization, the percentage of eyes with severe (21%) and moderate (25%) dry eye decreased significantly (8% and 19% at 3 months and 6% and 17% at 12 months, P = 0.0006). Fifty-four percent of patients reported improvement in their symptoms. The rate of recanalization was 21% during the follow-up period. The use of topical corticosteroids was associated with higher recanalization rate. Associated complications were limited to temporary pain and swelling. CONCLUSIONS: Punctal cauterization is an effective modality in treating severe ocular surface diseases in patients who repeatedly lose punctal plugs, and it can be easily performed in a clinic setting without major complications. However, cauterization may need to be repeated in up to a quarter of cases because of recanalization.

Changes in Corneal Subbasal Nerves after Punctal Occlusion in Dry Eye Disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal subbasal nerve plexus by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) following punctal occlusion in patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease (DED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with grade 3 or 4 severity of DED based on Delphi Panel dry eye severity grading scheme were enrolled in the study. Permanent inferior punctal occlusion was performed. A comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation, including Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, conjunctival Rose bengal staining, Schirmer's test, and corneal sensation by Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry, were performed at baseline, and 1 and 3 months after punctal occlusion. Furthermore, density and number of corneal subbasal nerves were evaluated by IVCM. RESULTS: Forty-one eyes of 23 patients with a mean age of 46.3 ± 9.0 years were enrolled. Corneal fluorescein staining, Rose bengal staining, and TBUT significantly improved at 3 months following punctal occlusion (p < .015). Corneal esthesiometry significantly increased at both postoperative visits (p < .03), and OSDI scores improved only at 3-month follow-up (p < .005). Nerve density and total number significantly increased 3 months after punctal occlusion (p < .045). Baseline nerve density had significant correlations with TBUT, fluorescein staining, Rose bengal staining (p < .012), but not with esthesiometry, Schirmer scores, or OSDI scores (p > .329). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal subbasal nerve density and total number increased following punctal occlusion in patients with moderate to severe DED. These findings were associated with improvements in corneal sensation, and signs and symptoms of DED. This emphasizes the effect of punctal occlusion in regeneration of corneal subbasal nerve plexus.

Safety and efficacy of nepafenac punctal plug delivery system in controlling postoperative ocular pain and inflammation after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a nepafenac punctal plug delivery system (N-PPDS) after cataract surgery. SETTING: Three U.S. clinical sites. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, randomized (2:1), parallel-arm, double-masked, placebo-controlled, phase II pilot study. METHODS: Fifty-six subjects (aged older than 22 years) with expected postcataract correctable distance vision of 20/30 or better and lower puncta allowing dilation up to 1.0 mm received either the nepafenac (N-PPDS group; n = 38 eyes) or a placebo punctal plug delivery system (p-PPDS group; n = 18 eyes). All eyes underwent routine unilateral cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. The primary and secondary efficacy measures were postoperative ocular pain and inflammation, respectively. RESULTS: There were 38 patients in the experimental N-PPDS group and 18 patients in the control group. The N-PPDS group had a significantly higher percentage of pain-free patients than that in the p-PPDS group (22/32 [69%] vs 6/16 [38%] at 3 days, P = .038; and 24/36 [67%] vs 5/16 [31%] at 7 days, P = .018). A higher percentage of patients in the N-PPDS group (15/29 [52%] vs 0/14 [0%] in p-PPDS) was pain free at all visits (P = .001). Anterior chamber cell scores were better in the N-PPDS group (patients with no anterior chamber cells: 18/36 [50%] vs 3/16 [19%] in p-PPDS; P = .034) at 7 days. The plug retention rate was 98% (55/56) at 14 days. Adverse events having a suspected relationship with the punctal plug treatment occurred in 1 case of the N-PPDS group having to do with placement and zero in the p-PPDS group. CONCLUSIONS: The N-PPDS was safe and effective for the management of ocular pain and inflammation after cataract surgery.

Post laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis dry eye disease and temporary punctal plugs.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of post laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) dry eye with and without intraoperative extended duration temporary punctal plug placement. METHODS: This retrospective study included myopicastigmatic eyes without a preoperative diagnosis of dry eye disease that underwent LASIK surgery between January 2017, and March 2018. Patients who received punctal plugs during surgery in addition to usual postoperative care were compared to a control group who received usual postoperative care alone. Visual acuity, safety and efficacy indices, as well as predictability and presence of dry eye disease were assessed 3-6 months after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 345 eyes of 345 patients were included, 172 eyes received punctal plugs and 173 did not. The mean age was 30.4 ± 10 years (range: 17-60 years) and 46.1% (N = 159) were female. Both groups were similar in terms of preoperative parameters, including age, gender, spherical equivalent, pachymetry or contact lens use. Patients treated with punctal plugs had significantly less postoperative dry eye complaints (N = 37 vs. 58, 21.5% vs. 34.1% respectively, P = 0.001). Patients treated with plugs that did develop dry eye disease did so later (51.2 ± 77.64 days' vs. 20.78 ± 26.9 days, P = 0.009). Postoperative visual acuities were similar between groups (P > 0.05) at all postoperative follow-up visits as were safety (0.95 ± 0.16 vs. 0.99 ± 0.09, P = 0.30) and efficacy (1.01 ± 0.13 vs. 1.00 ± 0.11, P = 0.52) indices. CONCLUSION: Preventative temporary punctal plug placement during LASIK appears to reduce dry eye disease in the short term, without affecting visual acuity outcomes.

Efficacy and retention of silicone punctal plugs for treatment of dry eye in patients with and without ocular graft-versus-host-disease.

PURPOSE: To examine the retention rates and efficacy of silicone punctal plugs for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) in patients with ocular graft-versus-host-disease (oGVHD) in comparison to dry eye disease due to non-oGVHD etiologies. METHODS: We reviewed the case-records of 864 consecutive patients with DED who were symptomatic despite topical therapy and had silicone punctal plugs placed over an eight-year- period at a single academic center. We compared plug retention rates in oGVHD and non-oGVHD DED patients using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Furthermore, we analyzed changes in objective ocular surface parameters including tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer's test, and corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score in plug-retaining patients at two-, six- and twelve-month follow-up. RESULTS: Median age of dry eye patients was 58 years, and 606 (70%) of patients were women. In the cohort, 264 (31%) patients were diagnosed with oGVHD. Plug retention was significantly lower in oGVHD-DED patients compared to non-oGVHD-DED patients (p < 0.0001). We observed significant improvement in CFS scores in plug retaining-oGVHD and non-oGVHD DED patients at all time points. Tear break-up time was significantly prolonged at six- and twelve-months follow-up in non-oGVHD patients, whereas significant change in TBUT in oGVHD patients was recorded only at twelve months post plug placement. Schirmer's score improved significantly in plug retaining-non-oGVHD DED patients at six- and twelve-months follow-up, however no significant change was observed in Schirmer's score in oGVHD DED patients. CONCLUSIONS: An improvement in ocular surface disease parameters was observed in both plug-retaining oGVHD and non-oGVHD DED patients. However, a majority of oGVHD DED patients spontaneously lost their punctal plugs within 90 days of placement. Therefore, regular follow-up after plug placement is recommended to detect plug loss and ensure adequate disease control.

Common inflammatory and infectious conditions of the eyelid.

Patients with infection or inflammation of the eyelid will often first present to their primary care physicians with symptoms such as redness, swelling, tearing, itchiness, or a foreign body sensation. There are a variety of conditions that affect the eyelid which can cause such symptoms, and the exam and history can help a provider differentiate some of the more common conditions. This article will provide a comprehensive review of the background, diagnosis and management of dry eye disease, chalazion, hordeolum (stye), and preseptal cellulitis.

Dry Eye Disease Practice in Ghana: Diagnostic Perspectives, Treatment Modalities, and Challenges.

SIGNIFICANCE: There is a dearth of studies investigating the challenges encountered in dry eye practice. Profiling these barriers is crucial to improving dry eye diagnosis and patient care. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the diagnostic and treatment perspectives, and challenges in dry eye practice in Ghana. METHODS: An anonymous paper-based or web survey regarding dry eye practice pattern, practice challenges, and access to diagnostic tools was distributed to 280 potential participants. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen respondents completed the survey. Case history (92.5%), fluorescein tear breakup time (87.5%), and corneal fluorescein staining (72.5%) were the topmost procedures used for dry eye diagnosis. A preserved lubricant drop was the most commonly prescribed treatment of mild, moderate, and severe dry eye at the rates of 77.0, 83.2, and 77.0%, respectively. A few respondents prescribed cyclosporine (2.7%) or punctal plugs (5.3%) across all disease severities, and none used scleral lens, autologous serum tears, or thermal pulsation. Graduate professional training influenced the practice pattern of 82.3% of respondents, whereas continuing professional education influenced less than 1%. Approximately 70.1 and 92.8% of optometrists considered referring dry eye in children and cases that are unresponsive to treatment, respectively. Eighty-eight percent of practitioners indicated they experience a challenge in dry eye practice, with limited access to diagnostic tools (77.9%) and limited availability of effective dry eye medication on the Ghanaian market (50.4%) being the most frequent challenges. More than 85% of respondents had access to a fluorescein dye or slit-lamp biomicroscope; however, none had access to a phenol red thread, lissamine green dye, osmolarity technology, or meibography device. CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners' limited access to diagnostic tools/techniques and the limited effective dry eye treatments are major challenges encountered in dry eye practice in Ghana. Addressing these will improve dry eye practice and treatment outcomes in the country.

[Inflammatory granuloma after intracanalicular punctal plug migration (a clinical case)]. / Vospalitel'naia granulema pri vnutrikanal'tsevoi migratsii okkliudera sleznoi tochki (sluchai iz praktiki).

At present, installation of punctal plugs (tear duct occluders) draws attention of ophthalmologists, but this method of treating dry eye syndrome (DES) is not without complications. Considering the rise of DES occurrence - the tendency anticipated to continue - as well as expansion of indications for installation of tear duct occluders, their usage can be expected to rise. The article describes a relatively rare clinical case that involved intracanalicular migration of silicone punctal plug. A female patient of 36 years old sought medical help in Research Institute of Eye Diseases (Moscow) to treat a lump in the area of lower lacrimal punctum in the left eye that was growing in size; the lump had appeared around 2 months prior to the visit. Patient's medical history read that around 2 years ago she had a silicone occluder installed in the lower lacrimal punctum of the left eye. On examination, in the area of lower lacrimal punctum, a body with a nutrient vascular pedicle deriving from lower lacrimal duct could be found. The occluder was absent in the opening of the lacrimal punctum. A revision of lower tear duct cavity was performed to remove its contents. The body filling tear duct opening was removed with forceps. Substance was then sent for histological examination. Tear duct was scraped out, the silicone occluder removed and sent to laboratory for scanning electron microscopy. The patient had no complaints 6 months after the procedure. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the forming body was granuloma resulting from aseptic inflammation. Surface of the silicone occluder in retention of lacrimal pathways remained unchanged. Described surgical tactic is suitable for treating patients with intracanalicular punctal plug migration.