Dry Eye Syndrome or Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca is a very common eye condition in which a reduction in the quantity or quality of tears occurs. This condition gives rise to symptoms such as dryness, foreign body sensation, grittiness, a sandy feeling, itching, and burning. People with dry eyes are extremely sensitive to their environment, and symptoms increase in conditions of low humidity and wind. Though there is no cure for this condition, many treatment options are available.

One approach to treatment is to moisturize the eye when needed or throughout the day with various eye lubricants. Lubricants vary from thin artificial tears which may not last very long to thick lubicants that can last quite long but can blur up the vision.

Another avenue of treatment is Restasis, a medication designed to increase the natural tear production of the eyes. Dry Eye Syndrome is associated with inflammation of the lacrimal glands, the tear-producing glands of the eyes. Restasis increases tear production by reducing the inflammation in the lacrimal glands. The medication will usually start to have its effect after the first 1 to 3 months of use. If the medication is discontinued, dry eye symptoms will likely resurface.

One of the most effective approaches to treating Dry Eye Syndrome is Punctal Plugs. Puncta are holes in the eyelid through which tears drain out of the eye into the nose. That is why your nose runs when you cry. Each eye has two puncta, one in the lower eyelid and another in the upper eyelid. A punctual plug is like a "bathtub stopper" that is gently placed in a puncta to reduce or stop the drainage of tears out of the eye. This allows your natural tears to stay in your eye for a longer period of time. Placing a punctal plug is painless and takes less than one minute per eye. A temporary plug is placed first which dissolves on its own in about one week. If you feel the temporary plug was beneficial, a permanent but removable plug can be placed. Up to two plugs can be placed for each eye. Usually, patients notice an improvement in their dry eye symptoms in less than 24 hours.

See Punctal Plugs