punctal plugs anyone (for dry eye)

[NB]

Hi all!
I haven't been here in a while, hope everyone's doing well. I've got DRY eyes recently but i'm not on meds that cause it except my BCP.
But i know alot of you have dry eyes from meds or whatever else.
I was wondering if anyone has tried punctal plugs, where the eye DR plugs the hole where the tears drain into to keep the tears in the eye?

I'm getting sick of this and i want to know if anyone's had any success???

thanks!

[gwyn]

hi.. i am not really sure...

and i AM still struggling in this....LOL

hope you are feeling better... grouphug

[NC Stardust]

I have the plugs. All four tear ducts. I hage kerataconus and need to wear GP contacts to be able to see. Never had any problem with sicca until I began taking blood pressure med. Does anyone know if beta-blockers can cause dry eyes too?
Anyway, got the Herrick plugs which hurt like crazy during placement and are VERY permanent. Doctor told me they would still be here long after I am gone. Special. Wish now that I had gotten a second opinion because sicca isn't necessarily a permanent condition and new drops are being researched and developed all the time. The opthalmologist I saw for a second opinion, after I had the plugs and STILL had dry eyes but at the same time eyes that were too watery with reflex tears, told me there are plugs that are more comfortable, can be removed, and don't hurt as much during insertion. Wish I had known...

A new eye drop was put on the market in April. Got a pres. today for it. It's called Restasis. Haven't used it yet.

[liz2]

I never had any problems with a dry eye until I had my Parotid Gland removed because of cysts. That gland helps control saliva and tears. Blood pressure medication never caused me any problems in that area. However, I am not on blood pressure meds since I got my weight down. My situation has two many other factors in it to make any kind of judgment for anyone else about the cause of a dry eye.

[ICNDonna]

I was on a blood pressure medication that made my mouth so dry my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth --- and my eyes were very dry. I had problems with several blood pressure meds and I don't remember which one did the dry-up job on me.

It's worth checking out if you are taking meds.

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna

[auntiedeb]

Hope you are feeling better. I don't get dry eyes. Mine are watery. so sorry. Let us know how you are doing and keep posting.

[NB]

Hi everyone!!
thanks for all the input. Tomorrow i'm having the punctal plugs inserted. My eyes aren't COMPLETELY dry , just severely dry and i haven't been able to wear my contacts. So i'm optimistic that this will work.
The only thing though, i did reasearch on the plugs and 40% of people report that they popped out and got lost. But i have to try to find out if i can keep them in!!
thanks

[auntiedeb]

grouphug grouphug grouphug I will be praying for you and hoping that they work for you sweetie. Let us know how it goes after surgery and keep on posting and let us know how you are doing. We care.Here is an angel for you. angel

[NB]

Hi Deb!
Hope you are feeling better these days!

I hope they stay in too, i can't wait to wear my contacts again. But it's not even surgery. they just pop them in and i can go home, isn't that great. NO MORE SURGERY!! YEAY!
thanks!
NB

[NC Stardust]

NB, how are you doing? Good, I hope!

[NB]

Oh, thank you!!

I decided not to have them put in because i was out of town for the weekend, and just in case something went wrong (infection or pain) i didn't want to have to suffer through it on vacation.
I wore my contacts this past weekend with no problems! So i'm going to hold off on getting them in if they get really really dangerously dry.
I think it's the air. Lots of allergens in it. I'm wearing my glasses on weekdays and contacts on weekends, i hope i can still tolerate them like i used to.
thanks for asking about me. Hope everyone is feeling well! grouphug