EVALUATION Of1 TEMPORARY LACRIMAL PLUGS IN MANAGEMENT OF' DRY EYE PATIENT

Abstract

ry eye is a condition in which the. ocular surface is desiccated. The disease is generally chronic and progressive causing considerable discomfort. It is more common in elderly women.

This study was intended to evaluate the effect of temporary lacrimal collagen plugs on the signs and symptoms of dry eye patients attending the outpatient_ clinic of Ophthalmology Department, AJexandri_a University.

Canalicular occlusion will provide symptomatic relief for the ocular discomfort caused by insufficient lubrication for many patients and should be offered when the diagnosis of a dry eye has been made and conservative therapy does not relieve the patient discomfort.P"

Every patient was subjected to detailed history taking with special

• . emphasis on symptoms• suggestive of dry eye. The patients in this study were 30 • in number representing 60 eyes. The females were 22 while the males were 8.

Foreign. body sensation was the commonest presenting symptoms was present in 70% of eyes followed by redness in 60.3% of eyes, burning, lacrimation and itching.

The patients with symptoms suggestive of dry eye syndrome were subjected to Schirmer test I of measurement of tear film. Then instillation