LaserVision

Treatment at a glance

Treatment Time

1 minute

Anaesthetic

Numbing eye drops

Downtime

None

Longevity

Temporary results

Key Benefit

Improved ocular comfort

What is Punctal Plugs?

Tears are drained from the eyes via tiny openings in the lower and upper eyelids. These openings are situated nasally and are momentarily in contact when the eyelids close during a blink.

Tears pass through these openings into a system of ducts before eventually reaching the inside of the nose. The drainage of these tears can be disrupted by intentionally blocking the opening of the tear ducts with non-invasive occluders.

Punctal plugs come in two main forms including temporary, semi-permanent and intracanalicular. Temporary punctal plugs are made of collagen and will eventually dissolve over a period of days to weeks (depending on the grade of plug). Semi-permanent plugs are made of a more durable acrylic or silicone and can last for beyond a year. Intracanalicular plugs are inserted deeper into the tear duct and are a more permanent solution.

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Treatment Benefits Benefits

What are the benefits of Punctal Plugs?

  • Improved ocular comfort
  • Reduced dependency on eye drops
  • Temporary and semi-permanent options
  • Painless application

How is it performed?

  • 1.The punctum (tear duct opening) is numbed with a lubricating drop
  • 2.The correct size plug will be selected following an examination of the punctum on a microscope
  • 3.The punctal plug will be gently inserted into the punctum using medical-grade forceps or a preloaded applicator
  • 4.You may feel a gentle pressure when it is applied but no pain
  • 5.A collagen based plug will usually be inserted first to assess the impact
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Frequently Asked Questions

Punctal plugs will likely reduce your dependency upon lubricating drops but it is advisory to continue to use them at a regular frequency.

Firstly, ensure that your hands are clean and remove the bottle cap without touching the nozzle. Hold the bottle on the bridge of your nose using the hand opposite to the targeted eye. Hold the lower eyelid down with the spare hand and gently squeeze one to two drops into the lower eyelid margin. Close the eye and remove any excess with a tissue.

Laser Vision ophthalmologists will use medical-grade forceps to gently remove the plug from the opening of the tear duct. The punctal plug has a flanged edge allowing the practitioner to remove it without causing any discomfort to the patient

Treatment Options

Choosing the right vision correction clinic for your surgery is paramount. This is a life changing procedure after all, and you need to have complete trust in your surgeon and care team of professionals.

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Related Concerns

Choosing the right vision correction clinic for your surgery is paramount. This is a life changing procedure after all, and you need to have complete trust in your surgeon and care team of professionals.

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Laser Vision

New Treatment!

We are delighted to announce that Laser Vision has introduced VALEDA for Dry AMD.

As one of the only clinics in the UK to have this device, we are privileged to once again be leading the way as VALEDA LDS (Light Delivery System) offers hope to those battling Dry AMD, providing innovative therapy for vision preservation. Developed by leading experts, this cutting-edge device promises enhanced outcomes and improved quality of life.

Discover the future of AMD treatment with VALEDA, now available at Laser Vision.

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