Complications of intracanalicular plugs: a case series.
OBJECTIVE
Intracanalicular plugs are commonly used in the management of dry eyes. The authors report 3 cases of complications associated with intracanalicular plugs.


METHODS
Clinical findings and the management of these patients are presented.


RESULTS
The first patient (case 1) is a 47-year-old female with severe dry eyes. Six months after insertion of intracanalicular Form fit hydrogel plugs (OASIS Medical) she developed canaliculitis with Klebsiella oxytoca. The second patient (case 2), a 33-year-old female, who developed left canalicular abscess 5 months following the insertion of bilateral, intracanalicular Form fit hydrogel plugs (OASIS Medical). The third patient (case 3) a 33-year-old female had granulation tissue formation within the left lower canaliculus, 5 years after insertion of intracanalicular plug. The symptoms in the three patients resolved after they underwent canaliculotomy with removal of the plugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Complications of intracanalicular plugs can sometimes outweigh their benefits. These plugs can lodge in the lacrimal outflow system and cause pyogenic granuloma formation and canaliculitis. To our knowledge, until now there have been no reports of complications associated with Form Fit hydrogel plugs (OASIS Medical) and its infective complication with Klebsiella oxytoca.
Joganathan
Varajini
V
Department of Ophthalmology, James Paget University Hospital, Norfolk NR31 6LA, USA.
Mehta
Purnima
P
Murray
Aidan
A
Durrani
Omar M
OM
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000209:etiology*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D015745:Granuloma, Foreign-Body / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D041121:Klebsiella oxytoca / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*
D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate