Punctal plugs an overlooked but effective treatment for dry eye syndrome

While sometimes overlooked in favor of other treatments, punctal plugs are an effective tool in the treatment of dry eye syndrome, or DES. With more than 5 million senior Americans significantly affected by DES, as well as millions more affected on a lesser level, providing effective treatment options for this condition is essential.DES can vary in severity, duration and etiology, although the condition is often caused and/or exacerbated by factors including contact lens use, environmental factors such as weather and allergy conditions, prior refractive eye surgeries, postmenopausal age and female gender, and certain medications, especially antihistamines, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications, and various high blood pressure medications. Often resulting from insufficient tear production, excessive evaporation or abnormal composition, DES can cause extreme discomfort, with some patients experiencing sensations of itching and burning, redness, and even reduced visual acuity/visual fluctuation or light sensitivity.