How do they cauterize tear ducts?
How do they cauterize tear ducts?
During cauterization, an ophthalmologist applies heat to the puncta in each eye, permanently closing the duct and thus preventing tears from draining out of the eyes. This procedure is performed in the ophthalmologist’s office. Your doctor administers local anesthesia to ensure that you feel no pain.
What is a punctal cautery?
Punctal cautery is burning the tear duct opening so it scars closed. This procedure is typically performed in patients with severe dry eyes when punctal plugs aren’t working, most commonly because they keep falling out.
How do you insert a punctal plug in?
If inserting punctal plugs following punctal dilation:
- Using the applicator that comes with the punctal plug, insert the plug into the punctum until the top of the plug is flush with the lid margin.
- After insertion, ask the patient to blink a few times to ensure that the plug is in the correct position.
How is punctal occlusion done?
Using a forceps-like applicator, the plug will be placed into the corner of your eye, then released. An applicator or another tool will then be used to gently push the plug into your natural punctal opening and you’ll be asked to blink. Once the plugs get wet, they will expand to completely fill the opening.
Is tear duct cauterization painful?
The procedure, done in your doctor’s office, takes only minutes to complete with little to no discomfort. Each of your eyes has two punctum, one on each eyelid. Plugs can be inserted in one or both. Your doctor may also use a special instrument to enlarge the punctum, making insertion easier.
Is punctal cautery reversible?
Permanent punctal occlusion involves the use of thermal cautery (heat) or a laser to close the opening to the tear drainage duct. This procedure is usually permanent, and not reversible. It is usually recommended in patients that have felt improvement in their dry eye disease after trying temporary punctal plugs.
What happens after tear duct cauterization?
Sometimes cautery sites reopen by themselves. If this happens, the site may be cauterized again. After beginning treatment, if your corneal sensation returns or your lacrimal glands begin to function more normally, you may produce sufficient aqueous tears to open tear ducts that were previously cauterized.
Is punctal cautery permanent?
Punctal cautery is a permanent option, but only after medical management leads you there. Ocular surface disease can wreak havoc on our surgical patients.
Can optometrists insert punctal plugs?
Punctal plugs are inserted in the office of you eye doctor during a very quick, simple, and painless in-office procedure. Once you and your optometrist decide to pursue punctal plugs as a treatment option, they can usually be inserted the same day.
What is recovery time for tear duct surgery?
Most patients, if they want to get up and go, take 48 hours off work, and the majority will take off 7 to 10 days. I do not know anyone who takes any longer than that.
Can you reverse punctal cautery?
The cautery procedure itself is very fast. Some doctors prefer to cauterize deeply, ensuring that the tear duct will not reopen, whereas others prefer to perform a procedure which is not as deep, and can be easily reversed in the office.
How long does it take to recover from tear duct surgery?