Treatment of dry-eye syndrome using punctal plugs.

Punctal Plugs for Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye

Gentle, effective relief by helping your eyes retain their natural moisture

At The Eyesmith, we use punctal plugs as a targeted treatment for aqueous deficient dry eye — a form of dryness caused by insufficient tear production. Punctal plugs are tiny, biocompatible devices inserted into the tear drainage ducts (puncta) to slow the loss of tears from the eye surface. By keeping more of your natural tears where they’re needed, the eye stays better lubricated, comfortable, and protected.

How Punctal Plugs Help

Your eyes naturally drain tears through small openings in the inner corners of your upper and lower lids.
In patients with dry eye, this drainage happens too quickly — leaving the surface exposed, irritated, and inflamed.

By gently placing a punctal plug into these openings, we help:

• Retain natural tears longer on the eye surface

• Improve tear film stability and comfort

• Reduce the need for artificial tears

• Protect against dryness-related inflammation and redness

The procedure is quick, painless, and reversible, performed in-practice with no downtime.

Types of Punctal Plugs We Offer

Dissolvable (Temporary) Plugs

Made of collagen or synthetic materials, these plugs gradually dissolve over weeks.
They are ideal for:

• Assessing whether punctal occlusion will improve your symptoms

• Short-term use after surgery or in seasonal dry eye flare-ups

Semi-Permanent Silicone Plugs

These soft silicone plugs provide longer-term relief, remaining in place for months or even years.
They can be removed easily if needed and are often used for chronic or severe dry eye where ongoing tear retention is beneficial.

Both options are selected according to your individual tear profile and tolerance, following a detailed dry eye assessment at The Eyesmith.

What to Expect

The procedure takes just a few minutes and requires no anaesthetic beyond a numbing drop.
You may feel a brief sensation of pressure as the plug is placed, but no discomfort.
Most patients notice an improvement in comfort and reduced dryness within days.

Is It Right for You?

Punctal plugs are best suited for patients whose tear production is reduced rather than those with evaporative (oil gland) dysfunction.
During your comprehensive dry eye assessment, we’ll measure your tear production, film stability, and ocular surface health to determine if plugs — alone or combined with other treatments such as IPL or Meibomian gland therapy — are the most appropriate option.

Experience longer-lasting comfort.
Book your Dry Eye Assessment at The Eyesmith today to see if punctal plugs can help restore moisture balance and protect your vision.