New Method for Removing Thermosensitive Acrylic Punctal Plugs From Lacrimal Puncta.

PURPOSE: This study explored a new method for removing thermosensitive acrylic punctal plugs from lacrimal puncta.

METHODS: A total of 14 dry eye patients (14 eyes), who required the removal of thermosensitive acrylic punctal plugs from the lacrimal puncta because of serious complications, were recruited. Among the 14 patients, lacrimal punctal granuloma formation occurred in 3 patients, tearing occurred in 6 patients, canaliculitis occurred in 3 patients, and chronic inflammation of the ocular surface occurred in 2 patients. The plugs were removed using a new method. Briefly, after local anesthesia was administered, a small lid clamp was used to flip the eyelid outward. After the application of the lid clamp, the plug could be removed without the use of any additional tools if the lacrimal punctum was large enough. If the lacrimal punctum was not large enough, microforceps were used to expand the lacrimal punctum before the application of the lid clamp. If the plug still could not be removed after the expansion of the lacrimal punctum, we moved the small lid clamp from the distal side of the lacrimal ductule to the lacrimal punctum.

RESULTS: Using this method, the plug was successfully removed in all of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS: This is a simple and effective method for removing thermosensitive acrylic punctal plugs from lacrimal puncta.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: : https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: ChiCTR-IPR-14005476.