title: Collared silicone punctal plugs compared to intracanalicular plugs for the treatment of dry eye.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare collared silicone punctal plugs to intracanalicular SmartPlugs for the treatment of moderate to severe dry eye.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, randomized, single blind, clinical study, 30 patients (60 eyes) who had been diagnosed with moderate to severe dry eye syndrome were enrolled. Study group I (n = 30 eyes) received collared silicone punctal plugs and group II (n = 30 eyes) received intracanalicular SmartPlugs. Data for the Schirmer I test, tear break-up time, vital staining, subjective symptoms and frequency of artificial tear application were recorded at baseline and 3 months after punctal occlusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistical significant difference for these values between group I and II.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although published data show free flow with irrigation and probing after SmartPlug insertion, the clinical effect in the treatment of dry eye appears to be the equally well to collared silicone punctal plugs. It seems likely that difference of design and localization between the treatment groups were of minor importance concerning impeding of natural and supplemental moisture.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Austria. dieter.rabensteiner@medunigraz.at
authors: Dieter Franz
authors: DF
authors: Rabensteiner
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: Boldin
authors: Angelika
authors: A
authors: Klein
authors: Jutta
authors: J
authors: Horwath-Winter
mesh_terms: D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019793:Fluorescein; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D012395:Rose Bengal; D012828:Silicones; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013525:Surgical Instruments
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012828:Silicones; D012395:Rose Bengal; D019793:Fluorescein