Effects of Punctal Occlusion on Clinical Signs and Symptoms and on Tear Cytokine Levels in Patients with Dry Eye

Abstract Purpose To investigate changes in signs, symptoms, and tear cytokines following punctal plug occlusion in patients with dry eye. Methods A single-center study was conducted at Singapore Eye Research Institute. Nonabsorbable punctal plugs were inserted in the lower punctum of both eyes in pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The ocular surface 2016-04, Vol.14 (2), p.233-241
Main Authors: Tong, Louis, MBBS, FRCS, DM, PhD, Beuerman, Roger, PhD, Simonyi, Susan, BSc, RN, Hollander, David A., MD, MBA, Stern, Michael E., PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
cytokine
Cytokines
dry eye
Dry Eye Syndromes
Humans
Lacrimal Apparatus
matrix metalloproteinase
Middle Aged
Ophthalmology
punctal plug
tear
Tears
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Abstract Purpose To investigate changes in signs, symptoms, and tear cytokines following punctal plug occlusion in patients with dry eye. Methods A single-center study was conducted at Singapore Eye Research Institute. Nonabsorbable punctal plugs were inserted in the lower punctum of both eyes in patients with moderate dry eye. Over 3 weeks, in the more severe eye, dry eye symptoms, fluorescein corneal staining, Schirmer I (without topical anesthesia) test, tear film breakup time (TFBUT), and safety were assessed. Cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels in tear samples were measured. Results Twenty-nine patients (mean age 49.8 years) with moderate dry eye were evaluated. At baseline, mean (standard deviation) global symptoms score was 53.8 (26.5), Schirmer I test score was 5.1 (2.8) mm, and TFBUT was 2.2 (0.6) seconds. After 3 weeks, punctal occlusion significantly reduced global irritation symptoms score ( P
ISSN:1542-0124
1937-5913
DOI:10.1016/j.jtos.2015.12.004