[Clinical investigation of the extrusion rate and other complications of the SuperEagle plug].

PURPOSE: Punctal occlusion using a silicone plug is reported as an effective way of treating severe dry eye. The purpose of this study is to investigate the migration, extrusion rate and complications of the SuperEagle plug (Eagle Vision)

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

This study involved 148 puncta in 64 eyes of 85 patients (13 eyes of 10 men, 72 eyes of 54 women; mean age: 57.8 +/- 16.6 years [mean +/- standard deviation]) with severe dry eye who underwent punctual occlusion using a SuperEagle plug during the period of May 2009 to September 2010 at our dry eye clinic. We investigated the intracanalicular migration rate, extrusion rate, granulation rate, accumulation of soft whitish material and enlargement of punctum size after extrusion.

RESULTS

The migration rate was 0%. The extrusion rate was 57.4% during follow up periods. The average time to extrusion was 92.4 +/- 82.2 days, and the time until 50% of plugs were extruded was 154 days. Granulation was seen in 34.5% of the eyes. 52.9% of puncta that granulation was formed was completely occluded by granulation after extrusion. The accumulation of soft whitish material was not seen in any of the puncta. There was no significant change in the size of the puncta before insertion or after extrusion.

CONCLUSION

The insertion of the SuperEagle plug was easy and without intracanalicular migration. Complete punctual occlusion by granulation after extrusion occurred.