Ree, I had the permanent plugs in and they helped my eyes a lot. There are many different kinds, I understand. The ones I had protruded just a bit and rubbed on my eyeballs ever so slightly, which I became accustomed to in time except for when my eyes were turned an unusual direction. (I speak in past tence because they were removed during one of my eye surgeries.)
Besides the punctal plugs, the puncta (tear duct drain holes) can be cauterized (burned) closed, which some people I know were really happy with. You might ask about that.
Have you tried the overnight eye ointments? They have helped me much more than the daytime drops, as the oily coating lasts slightly into the day.
My ophthalmologist told me the oil-producing glands can be damaged in people with Graves’ by the same autoimmune process that causes the other problems, and that mine were damaged.
Please let us know what you do and how it works for you.
Dianne W
Asst. online facilitator, NGDF
