Prevalence of canaliculitis after smartplug insertion during long-term follow-up

Abstract

The late onset of complications after SmartPlug insertion requires long-term observation to identify the majority of complications associated with SmartPlugs. In our patients with a follow-up of up to 10.5 years, the use of SmartPlugs was associated with the highest prevalence of canaliculitis published thus far.

Clinical features, microbiological profiles and treatment outcome of lacrimal plug-related canaliculitis compared with those of primary canaliculitis

“…However, late onset of complications after plug insertion is often noted. In combination with our current findings, the average time interval from plug insertion to the onset of canaliculitis symptoms ranges from 3 to 5.5 years 4 5 11. This imply that the prevalence of lacrimal plug-related canaliculitis may be underestimated if duration of follow-up is insufficient to observe the development of plug-related canaliculitis.…”

“…Most large case series of plug-related canaliculitis focus on SmartPlug, which reveals the prevalence of canaliculitis per patient was 7.23%–24% and the prevalence of canaliculitis per plug was 4.7%–16.6% 1 4 5. The prevalence of this adverse event in other types of plugs has not yet been established.…”

Clinical efficacy of OASIS Preloaded Punctal Plug in Comparison to Smart Plug Punctal Plug in Aqueous-Deficient Dry Eye Disease

“…In recent years, Smart Plug punctal plug has become more frequently used to treat aqueous-de cient dry eye, by blocking the tear dots of patients to prevent the discharge of tears, the normal secretion of tears is retained in the eyes, thereby improving symptoms and achieving good curative effect [9,10,11] . However, the complications of lacrimal duct plug, especially those of long-term follow-up, have not yet attracted enough attention [12,13] . OASIS preloaded punctal plug as a new type of lacrimal duct plug that has attracted signi cant interest,however, there are few clinical studies comparing OASIS preloaded punctal plug and Smart Plug punctal plug for dry eye.…”

Punctal granuloma as a manifestation of intracanalicular plug‐related canaliculitis

“…Plugs loss was the most commonly reported problem with punctal plugs and canaliculitis was the most commonly seen complication for intracanalicular plugs . In a study of patients who underwent SmartPlug insertion with median follow‐up time of 7.9 years (range 5.6–10.5 years), the prevalence of canaliculitis per patient was 24 per cent and the prevalence of canaliculitis per SmartPlug was 16.6 per cent . Huang et al demonstrated that the mean time lapse to the diagnosis of lacrimal plug‐related canaliculitis is about 6.6 months.…”