Efficacy and retention rate of two types of silicone punctal plugs in patients with and without Sjögren syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy, retention rates, and complications of two types of silicone lacrimal punctal plugs in patients with or without Sjögren syndrome.

METHODS

We studied 36 patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) including 17 cases with Sjögren syndrome (SS) and 19 without SS. The fluorescein and rose bengal staining scores and the Schirmer values with and without nasal stimulation were evaluated before and after insertion of the Eagle Plugs and the punctal plugs (FCI Punctal Plugs). The retention rates and complications of these plugs were also investigated.

RESULTS

The staining scores were significantly improved after the insertion of the plugs, but the Schirmer values did not increase significantly in either SS or non-SS patients. A spontaneous loss of the plugs was observed in 29% of all plugs within 1 month after insertion. The Eagle Plugs were lost more frequently, and plugs in the upper punctum were lost more often for the Eagle Plugs. There was one case of granulomatous proliferation and two cases of punctal infection with the FCI Punctal Plugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Both types of punctal plugs led to an improvement of the fluorescein and rose bengal staining scores in eyes with KCS. The difference in the retention rate and complications between the two types of plugs was probably caused by the differences in the material and the design of the plugs. Close monitoring is necessary to check for loss of plugs and to prevent complications.