LACRIFILL® Treatment in Spanish Fort, AL
Dry eye can make everyday tasks, from working at a screen to wearing contact lenses—feel uncomfortable. If drops provide only temporary relief, it may be time to explore an option that helps your own tears remain on your eyes longer.
At Perspective Eye Center, we take a cause-based approach to dry eye care. For adults whose tears drain away too quickly, LACRIFILL® Canalicular Gel may offer convenient, longer-lasting support. A dry eye evaluation can help determine whether it fits your needs.
What Is LACRIFILL® Canalicular Gel?
LACRIFILL® is a soft, hyaluronic acid-based gel placed within the small tear-drainage channels of the lower eyelids. The gel temporarily blocks these channels, helping keep lubricating tears on the eye’s surface instead of allowing them to drain away too quickly.
This quick, in-office treatment is designed for use for up to six months. It does not require daily application, and there is no visible plug sitting at the opening of the tear duct.
How Does LACRIFILL® Help Dry Eye?
Healthy tears lubricate the eyes, support clear vision, and protect the ocular surface. Dry eye can develop when the eyes do not make enough tears, tears evaporate too quickly, or tears drain too rapidly.
LACRIFILL® addresses the drainage part of this equation by helping preserve more of your natural tear film. Because dry eye has many possible causes, this treatment is not right for every patient. It may be used on its own or as part of a broader care plan that includes at-home therapy, prescription drops, IPL, LipiFlow, or other treatments.
Who May Be a Candidate for LACRIFILL®?
LACRIFILL® is intended for adults with dry eye symptoms that may improve when tear drainage is reduced. You may benefit from an evaluation if you experience:
- Burning, itching, stinging, or a gritty sensation
- Red or watery eyes
- Fluctuating or blurry vision
- Discomfort in air-conditioned, windy, or low-humidity environments
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses because of dryness
- Dryness associated with prolonged screen use, age, or certain eye procedures
Before recommending treatment, your eye doctor will evaluate your symptoms, tear film, eye surface, eyelids, and drainage system. This helps identify the likely causes of your dry eye and guides a personalized recommendation.
What Happens During LACRIFILL® Treatment?
Your visit begins with an assessment to confirm that the tear-drainage channels are open and that LACRIFILL® is appropriate for you. A numbing eye drop is typically used for comfort. Your eye doctor then places the gel into one or both lower tear-drainage channels using a small cannula.
The placement itself generally takes less than five minutes. No surgery is required, and there is no expected downtime or complicated aftercare. Your doctor will explain what to expect and when to return for follow-up.
How Long Can the Benefits Last?
Some patients may notice greater comfort soon after treatment, although individual experiences vary. LACRIFILL® is designed to remain in the canalicular system for up to six months. At the appropriate follow-up, your eye doctor can remove the gel by irrigating the tear-drainage channels and discuss whether repeat treatment is suitable.
Is LACRIFILL® Safe?
As with any procedure, risks are possible. Potential complications include infection, eye or eyelid irritation, conjunctivitis, excessive tearing, and changes to the eye’s surface. LACRIFILL® may also increase the effects of medications used in the eyes, so tell your doctor about every eye drop or ocular medication you use.
LACRIFILL® is not recommended for patients with blocked tear drainage, an active eye or eyelid-area infection, certain ocular-surface inflammation, or an allergy to hyaluronic acid. Your eye doctor will review these factors before treatment.
Explore Longer-Lasting Dry Eye Relief in Spanish Fort
Dry eye treatment should begin with understanding why your eyes feel uncomfortable. Perspective Eye Center offers personalized evaluations and advanced treatment options based on each patient’s needs.
If frequent drops are not giving you enough relief, ask whether LACRIFILL® could become part of your dry eye care plan.