Meanings
plural punctal plugs
- medicineA small device that is inserted into the tear duct of an eye to block the duct, preventing the drainage of liquid from the eye.
1 more example
The punctal plug has been found useful in treating keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) and is believed to be suitable for treating other ophthalmic ailments where retention of lacrimal fluid on the surface of the eye and in the lacrimal lake is desired or where sustained release of an ophthalmic medication to the eye by using the plug as a medication carrier is desired.
1976 April 13, Jerre M. Freeman, Punctum plug and method for treating keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) and other ophthalmic aliments using same, US Patent 3949750 (PDF version)Synonyms: tear duct plug, lacrimal plug
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA small device that is inserted into the tear duct of an eye to block the duct, preventing the drainage of liquid from the eye.
Cite this entry
punctal plug. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/punctal%20plug
“punctal plug.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/punctal%20plug. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “punctal plug,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/punctal%20plug.
Source: punctal plug on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.