Punctal Plug Cost and Procedure Guide

Many people experience dry eye syndrome, a condition in which the eyes don't produce enough or the right quality of tears to provide adequate moisture. While eye drops are commonly used to treat dry eye, some people find greater relief from having punctal plugs inserted into their tear ducts, which helps keep their eyes more comfortable.¹

What Are Punctal Plugs?

Punctal plugs are small medical devices used to treat chronic dry eye. About the size of a grain of rice, they are inserted into the tear ducts (called puncta) to block tears from draining away from the eyes and into the nasal cavity too quickly. This helps the eyes stay lubricated, reducing dry eye symptoms like itching, burning and redness.¹

Benefits

Punctal plugs can be an effective solution for those suffering from dry eye due to:²

• Aging
• Certain medications
• Environmental factors
• Surgery
• Other medical conditions

Types

There are two main types of punctal plugs:¹

1. Temporary plugs. These punctal plugs are made from materials, such as collagen, that gradually dissolve over time. They typically last a few days to several months. They are often used after eye surgery, such as LASIK, or for trial purposes to determine if a patient will benefit from more permanent plugs.
2. Permanent or semipermanent plugs. These are made from long-lasting materials like silicone or acrylic and are designed to stay in the tear ducts indefinitely. However, they can be removed by your eye care professional if needed. Permanent plugs are often recommended for patients with chronic, long-term dry eye conditions.

Both types of plugs are safe and effective.³ The decision between temporary and permanent plugs will depend on the severity of the dry eye condition and the patient's needs.¹

How Much Do Punctal Plugs Cost?

The national average cost* of punctal plugs is $572 but can range in price between $440 and $1,117, depending on geographic location, type of clinic or healthcare facility and your doctor's area of specialty.⁴

Punctal plug costs by state/district

Below is a breakdown of the average cost* of punctal plugs by all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia:⁴

Are Punctal Plugs Covered by Insurance?

Many medical insurance plans may cover some or all of punctal plug costs provided certain criteria are met. Check with your insurance provider for specifics on what your plan will or will not cover.⁵

Do You Need Punctal Plugs?

Punctal plugs are suitable for people who experience chronic dry eyes, which may be caused by a variety of factors. Tear production often decreases as we age, and some medications like antihistamines or antidepressants can also affect tear production. Medical conditions like an autoimmune disease can lead to dry eyes, as can regular exposure to environmental factors like wind, dry air or long periods of screen time.²

Punctal plugs may be a good solution for patients who have tried other dry eye treatments like artificial tears, ointments or medications but have not found sufficient relief. They are typically recommended by an ophthalmologist after a thorough examination of your eye health, tear production and other factors to determine if you’re a good candidate for punctal plugs.⁵

How Are Punctal Plugs Inserted?

Inserting punctal plugs is a quick and painless procedure that can be done in your eye doctor’s office. Your doctor may numb your eye with anesthetic drops to ensure the process is comfortable. A special tool is used to gently insert the punctal plugs into the tear ducts.⁶

You may feel a slight pressure on your eye as the plug is inserted.¹ The process typically takes a few minutes for each eye.³

Since no incisions or stitches are involved, there’s little to no downtime after the procedure.⁷ You can resume normal activities right away.⁷ Punctal plugs are small enough and positioned in such a way that they typically are not visible.¹

At follow-up appointments, your eye doctor will evaluate how well the plugs are working to relieve your symptoms of dry eye. It's important to note you may still need to use other dry eye treatments, such as eye drops, depending on your condition.⁵

Punctal Plugs Side Effects

The most common side effect of punctal plugs is the temporary feeling of having a foreign object in your eye, but most patients report this feeling goes away after a period of adjustment.⁷

Other side effects include the plugs shifting or coming out of the eye due to rubbing, having watery eyes or the plugs becoming displaced and irritating the eye or eyelid. In rare cases, some types of eye infections can occur that may be treated with antibiotics.¹

Frequently Asked Questions About Punctal Plugs

Do you still have questions about punctal plugs? Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about them.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Punctal Plugs

Whether you’re paying for punctal plugs or getting an eye exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for care where your insurance leaves off.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.