@article {1511490,
	title = {Long-term Outcomes of Punctal Cauterization in the Management of Ocular Surface Diseases},
	journal = {Cornea},
	volume = {40},
	number = {2},
	year = {2021},
	month = {2021 Feb 01},
	pages = {168-171},
	abstract = {PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of surgical occlusion of lacrimal puncta using thermal cautery in the management of ocular surface diseases. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 80 consecutive patients from a single academic center who underwent punctal cauterization. Patient demographics, ocular history, symptoms, and signs of ocular surface diseases pre- and post-cauterization were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients (171 puncta) were included, with an average age of 59 years and a follow-up duration of 27 months. The most common ocular morbidity was ocular graft-versus-host disease (n = 36), followed by primary keratoconjunctivitis sicca (n = 15). Indications for punctal cauterization included plug loss (n = 51), difficulty in plug fitting (n = 11), plug-related complications (n = 6), recanalization of previous cauterization (n = 7), and severe ocular surface disease requiring permanent punctal closure (n = 4). After punctal cauterization, the percentage of eyes with severe (21\%) and moderate (25\%) dry eye decreased significantly (8\% and 19\% at 3 months and 6\% and 17\% at 12 months, P = 0.0006). Fifty-four percent of patients reported improvement in their symptoms. The rate of recanalization was 21\% during the follow-up period. The use of topical corticosteroids was associated with higher recanalization rate. Associated complications were limited to temporary pain and swelling. CONCLUSIONS: Punctal cauterization is an effective modality in treating severe ocular surface diseases in patients who repeatedly lose punctal plugs, and it can be easily performed in a clinic setting without major complications. However, cauterization may need to be repeated in up to a quarter of cases because of recanalization.},
	issn = {1536-4798},
	doi = {10.1097/ICO.0000000000002384},
	author = {Wang, Yvonne and Carreno-Galeano, Jimena Tatiana and Singh, Rohan Bir and Dana, Reza and Yin, Jia}
}
