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Comparative Analysis - Punctum vs Lacrimal Plugs (15.5 kB, as a Microsoft Word doc)
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12-08-99

My name is Irvine Dubow. I am a retired Doctor of Optometry. I must share with you my personal experience of my eyes. The condition which I will talk about is something that I was well aware of, but not having gone through it and felt it myself, I couldn't relate to it in this special way. Now I am able to do so.

Please bear with me as I recount my symptoms and how they affected me. I've assisted patients with their eye problems for ever so long, why should I stop now?

Shortly after returning from a visit to the sand and desert of the middle east, I perceived that I was looking through a floating film of oil. I blinked and blinked but to no avail, I was unable to clear my vision, I was still looking through a foggy layer. My acuity was reduced and I was aware that I could not see as well as I could or should. Something was definitely wrong. I was bothered.

My eyes burned, itched, felt sore and watered. They were much more sensitive to light and brightness; they felt sandy, scratchy, gritty and for the most part felt very uncomfortable.

When it came to reading, that became a real problem as it is my favorite pastime. I had to continuously squint and blink again to clear up the printed words. My eyes tired very easily as my eyelids felt heavy and grainy. Headaches were a big nuisance.

DOES ALL THIS SOUND (FEEL) FAMILIAR?

I was experiencing what eye doctors call ‘DRY EYE SYMPTOMS’ or ‘DRY EYES’, but I must confess that I didn't relate it to myself. I couldn't have it or could I? You may safely ask, “what after all is dry eyes”? It simply means that my eyes had lost the ability to properly use the lubricating tears on the front surface of the eyes as the tears drain off too quickly and became depleted.

A) WHAT PHYSICAL CONDITIONS CAN BRING THIS ON?

Allergies, hayfever, bronchitis, a sinus condition or asthma. Equally it is fair to ask, are you getting older?

WHAT OTHER SYMPTOMS CAN YOU HAVE?

Runny nose, post nasal drip, middle ear congestion or even frequent colds. I was also bothered by middle of the night coughing spells because my throat felt dry. The last but not least symptom that I experienced was frequent annoying and nagging headaches. Yes, that is so.

B) WHAT OUTSIDE INFLUENCES CAN BRING ON THESE SYMPTOMS?

Sun, sand, wind, dust; currents of warm/cold air; high altitudes AND anything else that increases the evaporation of tears. It is the lack of tears which irritates the front surface (cornea) of the eye which causes an increased flow of the quantity of tears which tends to drain off too quickly.

WHAT ELSE?
· CONTACT LENSES tend to get a normal protein build-up on the lenses which in turn aggravates the eyes and cause them to tear more.
· AGEING will reduce the quality and production of tears. For example, at age 65 the tear glands produce only 40% of the lubrication they produced at age 18.
· SOME MEDICATIONS such as antihistamines, decongestants and other diuretics have an eye drying affect.

CAN DRY EYES BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH?

YES! If left untreated. Due to the dryness of the front of the eye, it may lead to ulcerated corneas with the possible evolvement of scarring; chronic infections of both the eyes and eyelids which may result in permanent vision loss or even the need of corneal transplants and more touchy, the need for eye ennucleation (loss of the eye).

CAN YOU GET RELIEF? YES, OF COURSE!

1. PARTIAL LACRIMAL OCCLUSION: HOW DOES IT WORK?
The plugs control your tear flow to preserve the natural tears on your corneal surface which will provide long term relief from your symptoms.

How will you know if you will benefit from a Partial Lacrimal Occlusion?

The Lacrimal Efficiency Test™…My doctor inserted into both my eyes, small dissolvable plugs, into the tear drainage ducts. It was as easy and fast as saying 1,2,3. The plugs lasted 6 days. ( they could last 4-7 days). Most of my symptoms improved/disappeared almost immediately. WHATA RELIEF! There was no question, my increased comfort was great enough to convince me that I wanted the doctor to fit me with PERMANENT NON-DISSOLVABLE LACRIMAL PLUGS as soon as possible and so he did.

It is now 6 months that my doctor used the new PERMANENT HERRICK LACRIMAL PLUGS and this is what I am able to report. When I first became aware of my problems even with my training and experience, I believed that I was relegated to the junk heap and I would have vision problems forever and a day. I couldn't or wouldn't relate dry eyes to me. My eyes were going from bad to worse. When my doctor prescribed the dissolvable plugs, they helped a lot. With the insertion of the permanent Herrick plugs my eyes got even progressively better. Do my eyes feel as good as they did before all this took place? No, and I never expect them to do so. At first there was an excessive amount of tearing. That lasted a awhile, but I understand the tearing time could vary. Patience is a virtue. The edges of my eyelids did feel irritated at times. The clarity of vision was infinitely better. Perfect, no of course not, but much improved. I could see better at both far and near. My headaches are well-nigh all gone. Would I recommend it to my friends or former patients? YES, BUT DEFINITELY. Would I even dare think about giving them up? No, but Infinitely and Definitely, NO! They are a Godsend. They have added useful and comfortable years to my life. Amen.

God Bless,