Tear Film and Drainage after Selective Punctal Occlusion Using Polydioxanone Plugs in Dry Eye Patients

Abstract

Purpose: To assess changes in the tear film and delayed tear drainage after upper or lower, or combined upper and lower, punctal occlusion using dissolvable polydioxanone plugs in patients with dry eye.Methods: In total, 40 dry eye patients (80 eyes) were enrolled: four groups of 10 (20 eyes) with no, lower, upper, and lower and upper punctal occlusions. Dissolvable polydioxanone plugs were placed. The tear break-up time (tBUT) and the tear meniscus height (TMH) were measured, and the Schirmer I test and dye disappearance test (DDT) were performed at baseline and 2 weeks after the procedure.Results: Compared to the control group, all three test groups exhibited significant changes in the tBUT, the DDT test, and the TMH after polydioxanone plug placement (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). The group with both upper and lower punctal occlusions exhibited more delayed tear drainage than the other test groups. A lower punctal occlusion significantly delayed tear drainage to a greater extent than did an upper punctal occlusion (<i>p</i> = 0.010).Conclusions: In dry eye patients, a polydioxanone plug improved the tBUT and TMH, and the DDT score. The tear drainage delay increased in the order: both, lower, and upper punctal occlusion(s).