marketplace
Focus on Punctum Plugs

TEARS NATURALE
Alcon

Alcon's Tears Naturale punctal plugs are made of a soft, low-durometer, clear silicone for a more natural, skin-like feel and less noticeability in the eye. The company says the low-profile cap is designed for improved comfort, helping to reduce lid sensation and plug awareness.

The precise, pre-loaded inserter with fingertip control is designed to prevent premature plug insertion.

Phone: (800) 451-3937

AQUAFLO
AlphaMed

AlphaMed says the AquaFlo plug represents the latest wave in punctum plug technology. Featuring unique reservoir indentations in the dome, AquaFlo significantly reduces foreign body sensation by trapping tears, therefore reducing surface tension and providing increased comfort for the patient.

AquaFlo is designed to ensure stability upon insertion, yet is pliable upon extraction, which eliminates the problems of tearing or plug separation.

Modestly priced AquaFlo plugs are available in four simplified sizes offered in sterile kits (one pair pre-loaded onto inserters), or non-sterile bulk packs (10 pair non-loaded) for maximum economy.

AquaFlo plugs are available only through authorized distributors, including Cynacon/OcuSoft, Eye Supply USA and MediUSA.

Phone: (866) 734-2020
E-mail: gubachy@alphamedco.com
Web: www.alphamedco.com

SUPERFLEX
EagleVision

EagleVision says it has reinvented the punctal plug, with more features than its patented FlexPlug.

The new, improved SuperFlex is a result of EagleVision listening to physician requests for added benefits, and conducting tests to determine the exact anatomy of the punctum. EagleVision says the SuperFlex is designed for better fit, easier insertion and greater patient comfort. The plug is available in 0.4-mm through 1.1-mm sizes and has the CE mark.

Phone: (800) 222-7584 or (901) 380-7000
E-mail: info@eaglevis.com

FCI PLUGS
FCI Ophthalmics

FCI offers a complete selection of anatomy-friendly punctum plugs, with sizes ranging from 0.4-mm Slim to 1.0-mm Large. FCI Plugs feature slanted collarettes that hug the natural slant of the eyelid, providing patient comfort and preventing rubout.The company also offers a 30-day guarantee on pop-outs.

The newer Slim plugs are smaller and slimmer to facilitate insertion into the smallest puncta. FCI also manufactures flow-through plugs for punctal stenosis or to limit tear flow.

Phone: (781) 826-9060 or (800) 932-4202
Web: www.fci-ophthalmics.com

GOPLUG
General Ophthalmics

General Ophthalmics says it simplifies the treatment of dry eye with its patent-pending GOPlug system that's designed to eliminate sizing, dilation and insertion problems.

Sterile, pre-loaded GOPlugs have a thin rim for patient comfort and can be inserted without dilation. The unique inserter is guaranteed to release the plug if it's the correct size. And General Ophthalmics says sizing is made simple, as the large-size GOPlug fits the most common punctal diameters (0.6 mm to 0.9mm). The company offers a free, 30-day replacement warranty.

Phone: (866) 646-7584 or (901) 380-5353
E-mail: info@generalophthalmics. com

TEAR SAVER
IOLTech

IOLTech's Tear Saver silicone plugs have a tapered shaft design that anchors securely to the puncta for increased patient comfort and less chance of rubout. The plugs, which are color-coded for easy size identification, are available in sizes from 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. The Tear Saver silicone cap is visible at the lid margin.

IOLTech also offers the Tear Saver Plus plug in sizes 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. The company says the Tear Saver Plus is transparent with a virtually invisible cap. The Tear Saver Plus is coated with a proprietary polymer resulting in the plug being bio-insulated.

Both the Tear Saver and Tear Saver Plus come pre-loaded on a sterile, disposable inserter/dilator.

Phone: (800) 845-6585

HERRICK LACRIMAL PLUGS
Lacrimedics

Lacrimedics says its patented intracanalicular plugs provide patient comfort and ease of use. One size fits most patients. The company says punctal dilation, gauging and anesthesia are generally not required, and plugs don't pop out.

The company says its new Dissolvable Opaque Herrick Lacrimal Plug is unique in that it lasts approximately 6 months. It's foil-wrapped to prevent brittleness. For longer-term treatment, Lacrimedics offers nondissolvable silicone Opaque Herrick Lacrimal Plugs in a new blue color. These plugs are pre-mounted and sterile, with peel-off chart labels.

The new Williams Intracanalicular Plug Positioning Tool is designed to make plug positioning simple.

Phone: (800) 367-8327 or (360) 376-7095
E-mail: info@Lacrimedics.com
Web: www.Lacrimedics.com

SMARTPLUG
Medennium

SmartPlug, developed by Medennium Inc., is a thermodynamic hydrophobic acrylic polymer designed to enhance ease of insertion and user comfort compared with alternative plug technology.

SmartPlug conforms to fit different punctal diameters, eliminating the need to measure the size of the patient's punctum, and providing a substantial savings to ophthalmologists by reducing stocking inventory.

Medennium says the attrition rate of SmartPlug is less than 1% and patients report minimal foreign-body sensation because there's no external cap.

Phone: (888) 727-6100

E-mail: customerservice@ medennium.com
Web: www.medennium.com

SOFT PLUG
Oasis Medical

Oasis Medical says its extended-duration absorbable plugs offer dry-eye relief for up to 3 months. The long-lasting plug provides patient comfort that's effective and economical for transient dry-eye symptoms following surgery.

Oasis says Soft Plug extended-duration plugs are an excellent choice for intermediate occlusion and maximum comfort. The plugs are 2 mm in length and available in 0.3-mm, 0.4-mm and 0.5-mm diameters. They're packaged in a dispenser box that contains 20 pouches of two plugs each.

The complete Oasis Soft Plug line includes silicone, collagen and extended-duration plugs.

Phone: (800) 528-9786
E-mail: Sales@OasisMedical.com
Web: www.OasisMedical.com

PARASOL
Odyssey Medical

Odyssey's patented Parasol Punctal Occluder offers a unique design that the company says is exceptionally easy to insert, requiring little or no dilation. Simple sizing means two sizes fit virtually all patients. And Odyssey says its 30-day pop-out guarantee means you don't have to worry about accidental loss.

The Parasol is available in three packaging configurations: (1) Conventional, sterile pre-loaded; (2) QuickLoad sterile bulk pack; and (3) non-sterile bulk pack. The bulk packs are designed to be used with reusable insertion instruments, which Odyssey says provide substantial cost savings to the practice. New from Odyssey is Extend, an absorbable synthetic punctal implant that provides occlusion for up to 3 months.

Phone: (888) 905-7770
E-mail: info@odysseymed.com
Web: www.odysseymed.com

ULTRAPLUG
Surgical Specialties

Surgical Specialties says you can extend your treatment options with the UltraPlug line of punctal plugs. The UltraPlug is available in long-term (silicone), intermediate (synthetic absorbable), or short-term (collagen) product materials to best suit your treatment plan. UltraPlug silicone plugs feature a low-profile cap designed to virtually eliminate foreign body sensation and are pre-loaded on sterile inserters. The UltraPlug Dry Eye Management System offers an assortment of punctal plugs, patient education materials, and guidelines for submitting Medicare or private insurance claims.

Phone: (800) 523-3332
E-mail: info@surgicalspecialties.com
Web: www.ultraplugs.com

OCCU-FLO
U.S. IOL

U.S. IOL says its Occu-Flo Punctum Plugs are manufactured with "implant" quality silicone, and have been tumble-polished to eliminate impurities and achieve a transparent surface. The company says the tumble-polish process offers a greater level of comfort to the patient, and an easier insertion for the physician.

Each plug is offered pre-mounted on an advanced inserter that ensures ease of implantation. The Occu-Flo plug is available in sizes 0.4 mm (petite), 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, and 0.7 mm.

Phone: (800) 354-7848
E-mail: usiol@aol.com
Web: www.usiol.com