Clinical evaluation of the Smart Plug in the treatment of dry eyes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a thermo sensitive punctum plug, the Smart Plug, in the treatment of dry eyes.


METHODS
Observational case-series study.


METHODS
Eighteen eyes of 10 dry eye patients who previously failed conventional plug insertion were enrolled. Schirmer 1 test, vital staining scores, and tear clearance tests were performed before plug insertion, at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after insertion.


RESULTS
Although Schirmer test values were not significantly different before and after plug insertion, the tear clearance rate considerably decreased (Before insertion: 14.8+/-11.4; After insertion: 8.2+/-6.6) (P<.05). Rose-Bengal and fluorescein scores improved significantly after plug insertion (Rose-Bengal: Before insertion: 6.4+/-2.0; After insertion: 3.3+/-1.6 points, Fluorescein: Before insertion: 4.8+/-2.3; After insertion: 2.1+/-1.3) (P<.05). No complications were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Smart Plug proved to be a safe and efficient option in the treatment of dry eye.
Kojima
Takashi
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan. kojkoj@mac.com
Dogru
Murat
M
Ishida
Reiko
R
Goto
Eiki
E
Matsumoto
Yukihiro
Y
Tsubota
Kazuo
K
D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012395:Rose Bengal / Q000378:metabolism; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012395:Rose Bengal; D019793:Fluorescein