Comparison of retention rates and complications of 2 different types of silicon lacrimal punctal plugs in the treatment of dry eye disease

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the retention rate and complications of 2 different types of silicon lacrimal punctal plugs with the focus on the relationship to punctum size.

Design: A prospective, nonrandomized, interventional, comparative study.

Method: Forty-four patients with dry eye syndrome received lacrimal punctal plug insertion with the Punctal Plug F (FCI Ophthalmics) and 30 patients received plug insertion with the Super Flex plug (Eagle Vision; Softplug-Oasis Medical Inc). In total, 110 plug insertion regions were performed using the Punctal Plug F (group A) and 110 insertion regions were carried out using Super Flex plug (group B). The gauging system of Eagle Vision was used before the lacrimal punctal plug insertion in all subjects. Plug conditions (retention rates, spontaneous plug loss, and removal) and complications related to lacrimal punctal sizes were compared between the 2 groups.

Results: Retention rates were 70.4% in group A and 30.1% in group B at 6 months. Spontaneous plug loss occurrence was significant with the larger lacrimal punctum size in group A (P < .05), whereas no significant differences were observed between lacrimal punctum sizes and spontaneous loss in group B. Spontaneous plug loss occurrence was significant in elderly patients in group B (P < .05). Granuloma and injector troubles were observed in 1 and 2 cases in group A, respectively.

Conclusions: The Punctal Plug F seems to be more applicable for insertion into the smaller punctal sizes. Punctum size and age seem to be important factors in determining the appropriate types of lacrimal punctal plugs.