Punctal Plugs or Lacrifill Gel for Dry Eye Therapy

Serving you in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove  and the surrounding areas.

847-392-9220

Punctal plugs are a type of occlusion device inserted into the tear duct of an eye to prevent drainage of tears. This is particularly useful in a patient with dry eye due to reduced tear production. Tears consist of aqueous, lipid, mucin, proteins and glycoproteins to provide lubrication and protection of the ocular surface. The tear secreting glands of the eye include the lacrimal glands, Meibomian glands and goblet cells which secrete the aqueous, lipid and mucous components of the tear film respectively. Punctal plugs help to retain the aqueous tears and minimize dependence on artificial tear therapy.

is an FDA-approved, temporary tear duct filler designed to provide long-lasting relief for patients suffering from moderate-to-severe dry eye disease. Made from a cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel, it temporarily blocks the eye's natural drainage system to keep your own tears on the surface of your eye longer. The LacriFill procedure can be performed in the office under topical anesthesia and the effect lasts up to 6 months.

Specialty Contact Lenses:

Specialty contact lenses are custom-made lenses designed for eyes that cannot be fit or cleared by regular soft lenses. They fix complex vision and medical eye problems.

Common Types

  • Rigid gas permeable (RGP): Firm, custom plastic lenses that let oxygen pass through and give very sharp vision for irregular corneas.
  • Scleral lenses: Large rigid lenses that vault over the front eye surface and rest on the white part, trapping a soothing pool of liquid for severe dry eyes or uneven shapes.
  • Hybrid lenses: Lenses with a hard center for clear sight and a soft outer ring for better comfort

Who Needs Them

  • People with keratoconus or bulging, irregular corneas.
  • Anyone with high astigmatism or unique prescriptions that standard contact lenses cannot fix.
  • Those with severe dry eye disease that standard drops or contacts cannot fix.
  • Patients recovering from corneal transplants or eye surgery

Evaluation and Management of Cataracts:

A cataract evaluation is a comprehensive eye exam that checks the health of your eyes, measures how much a cataract has clouded your natural lens, and helps decide if you need surgery. The visit usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours and includes painless tests, eye measurements, and pupil dilation.

What Happens During the Exam

  • Visual acuity test: You read letters on an eye chart to see how clearly you can view things at different distances. [1]
  • Slit-lamp exam: The doctor uses a bright, specialized microscope to look closely at the front of your eye and grade the cloudiness of your lens.
  • Dilated eye exam: Eye drops widen your pupils so the doctor can check the back of your eye, including your retina and optic nerve.
  • Eye pressure test: A quick test checks the fluid pressure inside your eye to rule out other problems like glaucoma.
  • Eye measurements: Special tools measure the shape, length, and curves of your eye to help pick the right artificial lens if you choose surgery.

How to Prepare

  • Bring your current glasses, insurance cards, and a list of your medicines.
  • Arrange for a ride home because your eyes will stay blurry and sensitive to light for a few hours after the pupil-dilating drops.