Patients with a dry eye problem can benefit from the insertion of a punctal plug. This is a tiny silicone plug which is inserted into the punctum, the tiny hole in the inner aspect of the lower eyelid. This takes seconds to do and does not usually require any anesthesia. This is done at the slit lamp, the microscope used by eye doctors and opticians to examine the eye.

The photograph shows a punctal plug in place in a patient whose lower eyelid has been pulled down to demonstrate the plug. The plug is not visible to others. Contact Face & Eye to find out more about punctal plugs.