Prevalence of canaliculitis after smartplug insertion during long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term prevalence of canaliculitis associated with the use of SmartPlugs.


METHODS
This retrospective study included 42 eyes of 25 dry eye patients at our institution who received a SmartPlug insertion between 2004 and 2008. Irrigation of the lacrimal system was performed in all patients prior to SmartPlug insertion to ensure the patency of the system. The median follow-up time was 7.9 (5.6-10.5) years after plug insertion.


RESULTS
Six patients (seven eyes) of 25 patients (42 eyes) developed canaliculitis. The prevalence of canaliculitis per patient was 24%, and the prevalence of canaliculitis per SmartPlug was 16.6%. The median time from SmartPlug insertion to the onset of canaliculitis was 4.7 (1.4-6.0) years. The median age of the affected patients was 61.5 (36-74) years. Five of these patients were women and one was man. The pathogens were identified as Actinomyces in four eyes and as Staphylococcus aureus in three eyes. In five patients (six eyes), the canaliculitis was resolved by the application of topical antibiotics and repeated lacrimal irrigations with antibiotics and povidone-iodine. In one patient, a canaliculotomy was necessary to cure the condition.


CONCLUSIONS
The late onset of complications after SmartPlug insertion requires long-term observation to identify the majority of complications associated with SmartPlugs. In our patients with a follow-up of up to 10.5 years, the use of SmartPlugs was associated with the highest prevalence of canaliculitis published thus far.
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Angelika
A
Klein-Theyer
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Ingrid
I
Boldin
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Dieter Franz
DF
Rabensteiner
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Haleh
H
Aminfar
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Jutta
J
Horwath-Winter
D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000069282:Canaliculitis; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015995:Prevalence; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology
Lacrimal drainage; Ocular surface