[Canaliculitis caused by Actinomyces in a case of dry eye with punctal plug occlusion].

BACKGROUND

We report a case of canaliculitis caused by Actinomyces odontolyticus in a case of dry eye with punctal plugs.

CASE

A 64-year-old female with Sjögren's syndrome type of dry eye developed lacrimation, congestion in the lower palpebral conjunctiva and corneal epithelial damage in her right eye 30 months after punctal plug occlusion. After removal of the plug from lower punctum in her right eye, white material exuded from the punctum. However, even after the removal of a plug, corneal epithelial keratopathy did not get worse, implying that the granulation tissue formed by the plug completely occluded the canaliculus. Actinomices odontolyticus was cultured from the white material. One week after topical antibiotic treatment, conjunctival congestion and irritation were resolved.

CONCLUSION

This report indicates the possibility of canaliculitis as a complication of punctal plug occlusion. Careful observation is necessary after punctal occlusion with punctal plugs.