The Effects of Surgical Punctual Occlusion on Patients with Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye.
10.3341/jkos.2016.57.2.195
- Author:
So Min AHN
1
;
Young Sub EOM
;
Jay Won RHIM
;
Su Yeon KANG
;
Hyo Myung KIM
;
Jong Suk SONG
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. crisim@korea.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Corneal staining;
Dry eye;
Punctal occlusion;
Sjogren syndrome
- MeSH:
Arthritis, Rheumatoid;
Graft vs Host Disease;
Humans;
Sjogren's Syndrome;
Tears;
Visual Acuity
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2016;57(2):195-199
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To analyze the improvement of symptoms and signs of dry eye after surgical punctual occlusion and to evaluate the effects of secondary systemic disease in dry eye patients. METHODS: From March 2011 to July 2014, 15 eyes of 8 dry eye patients with a history of punctal plug insertion underwent surgical punctal occlusion. Schirmer test was measured based on mean 2.9 mm. The patients consisted of 4 dry eye patients with Sjogren's disease, 1 with rheumatoid arthritis, 1 with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and 2 with no secondary systemic disease. Preoperative and postoperative ophthalmic examinations of log MAR visual acuity, subjective symptoms, corneal staining (National Eye Institute [NEI] score), and tear break-up time (BUT) were performed and the effects of secondary systemic disease in dry eye patients were evaluated. The results of surgical punctual occlusion were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients showed a statistically significant improvement of log MAR visual acuity, subjective symptoms, corneal staining (NEI score), and tear BUT. The patients with rheumatoid-related diseases showed improved symptoms after surgery, but the patient with GVHD showed no significant improvement after surgery. Among the study patients, 80.0% showed completely closed punctum and 20.0% showed partial recanalization. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical punctal occlusion is an effective alternative in patients with severe aqueous deficient dry eye who show recurrent punctal plug loss or complications associated with punctal plugs.
