Permanent Punctal Occlusion For Severe Dry Eye Syndrome – A New Approach

1. Chedly Bouzouaya¹
2. Peter Raus²

¹Private Practice, Tunis, Tunisia
²Private Practice, Mol, Belgium

Purpose: Dry eye syndrome is a very common disorder. The management of this condition is related to the severity of the symptoms. Permanent punctal occlusion is indicated in severe dry eye syndrome.

Methods: With the use of a high frequency low temperature surgical device and an electrode specifically designed to cauterize and close the punctum, a large number of patients were treated by different surgeons and relieved from dry eye syndrome symptoms. The Punctal Occluder Electrode (POE) is designed to both dilate the punctum and be inserted in the lumen of the lacrimal duct to seal it.

Results and Conclusions: When there is an indication for a permanent punctal occlusion, the POE with the use of high frequency devise seals the punctum permanently. There are no cases of reopening of the punctum and no lid notch as seen with the use of electrocautery or lasers.
Permanent punctal occlusion in severe dry eye syndrome using silicone plugs, argon laser, diode laser or cautery have drawbacks, are not cost effective and showed lower success rate in comparison to an easy to use and cost effective punctal occluder electrode.