Sjogren's Syndrome Support Group

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva. It also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and it is rheumatoid factor positive in 90 percent of cases.

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Punctal Plugs and Cauterization

SamUL
SamUL
I recently had temporary collagen plugs put in the lower ducts of both eyes. The first time I had less redness and noticed some slight increase in tear volume. Had them put in a second time and didn't go so well. One of the plugs protruded and scratched my eye. I've read that this can be a problem with all of these kinds of plugs and am thinking of having the lower ducts cauterized. My ophtamologist thinks this is a good idea. Has anyone had theirs cauterized and if so how did it work out? Thanks.
deleted_user
deleted_user
HI Sam..look i dont know myself, but,im just letting you know i read on here somewhere that someone had this procedure and said it was awful and wished they hadnt...ill try to find what i read...cant reme ber the full extent of what she wrote....it sounds painful though?...but what would i know..i had the dissolving plugs in mine,,i did notice a difference..im gunner have them again i think....if i find it ill let ya know..D.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thanks for the update Sam. My doc also would not cauterize, because I didn't wear the plugs long enough to see if over-tearing would be a problem. I only did the plugs for 3 days before my eyes were so scratched up I pulled them out...I am NOT going to have plugs again after that mess. But now since I can't get cauterized, I'm not sure what to do. Will be keeping close track of how things are working for you....
SamUL
SamUL
Hi D. Hope you are feeling better.
Yes, please let me know if you find what you had read. I'll look for it too.

DWO: I will definitely not be trying the silicone plugs again. Don't know if you have tried the dissolvable ones, but they are more comfortable since they are inserted below the tear duct. I did have one come back up, but that may have been because I convinced the eye doc that the previous ones were already dissolved. It had only been 2 months and the ones he put in are supposed to last 3 months. The silicone ones always protrude and that is what I can't tolerate. But I'll let you know how it goes.