Non-surgical management of lacrimal canaliculitis following insertion of SmartPlug
Abstract
Punctal plugs are popular device used for treatment of dry eyes. The SmartPlug, with its special thermodynamic properties, has the advantage to conform to the shape of the punctal ampulla and proximal canaliculus, and offers effective occlusion. However, SmartPlug related complications are not uncommon and surgical interventions are often required for management of persistent infection. This is a report of two middle-aged Asian women who developed chronic lacrimal canaliculitis after insertion of the SmartPlug Punctal Plug. Attempts at removing the SmartPlug failed and prolonged topical antibiotics resulted only in partial resolution of the infection. Subsequent forced irrigation with penicillin solution via the affected puncta using large bore lacrimal canula successfully led to complete resolution of the canalculitis.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication, with the work twelve (12) months after publication simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).