Punctal Plugs: What They Are and How They Help Dry Eyes

When your eyes feel gritty, tired, or constantly watery, it might not be too much tears — it could be too few. punctal plugs, tiny medical devices inserted into the tear ducts to slow tear drainage. Also known as tear duct plugs, they help keep natural moisture on the eye’s surface by preventing tears from draining too quickly. This simple fix is one of the most common treatments for chronic dry eye, especially when eye drops alone aren’t enough.

Punctal plugs are often used when people have dry eye syndrome, a condition where the eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too fast. It’s not just an annoyance — it can make reading, driving, or using screens painful. These plugs come in two main types: temporary ones made of collagen that dissolve on their own, and longer-lasting ones made of silicone or plastic. Doctors choose based on how severe your dryness is and whether you need a trial before committing to a permanent solution. They’re placed in the puncta, the small openings in the inner corners of your eyelids where tears drain into the nose. The procedure takes less than five minutes, needs no anesthesia, and most people feel nothing after the initial insertion. Unlike eye drops that wash away after an hour, punctal plugs work all day by keeping your own tears where they’re needed.

People who use them often report better comfort, less reliance on artificial tears, and fewer flare-ups from screen time or dry air. But they’re not for everyone. If you have frequent eye infections, severe inflammation, or allergies to plug materials, your doctor might suggest other options like prescription drops, eyelid heating, or lifestyle changes. Still, for millions with moderate to severe dry eye, punctal plugs are a quiet game-changer — no surgery, no daily routine, just lasting relief.

Below, you’ll find real-world insights from patients and clinicians on how punctal plugs fit into broader eye care — from managing side effects of other treatments to understanding when they’re the right move versus when they’re not. Whether you’re considering them for yourself or just trying to make sense of what your doctor said, these posts cut through the noise and give you what actually matters.