A New Option for Dry Eye Relief: Introducing Lacrifill
If you suffer from dry, irritated, or burning eyes, you’re not alone. Dry eye disease affects millions of people and can interfere with reading, screen use, driving, and everyday comfort. At Eye Doctor MD, PC, we stay at the forefront of eye care so we can offer our patients the most effective and comfortable treatment options available. One of the newest advances in dry eye care is Lacrifill®, and recent research shows very promising results.
What Is Lacrifill?
Lacrifill is a soft, gel-like treatment made from hyaluronic acid, a substance that naturally exists in your body and is already found in healthy tears. It is gently placed into the eye’s natural tear drainage channel (the canaliculus) to slow down tear drainage, helping your natural tears stay on the surface of your eyes longer.
Unlike traditional punctal plugs, which can sometimes fall out or cause irritation, Lacrifill fills the tear drainage channel completely. This design helps avoid common problems such as plug loss, irritation, or trapped debris, while still being comfortable and easy to place in the office.
How Does Lacrifill Help Dry Eye?
Dry eye often happens when tears evaporate too quickly or drain away before they can properly protect the eye. Lacrifill helps by:
- Keeping your natural tears on the eye longer
- Improving moisture and lubrication of the eye surface
- Reducing dryness, burning, irritation, and fluctuating vision
The treatment is quick, performed in the office, and designed to last up to 4 months, after which it can be easily removed if needed.
What Does the Research Show?
A large, multicenter clinical study found that Lacrifill is safe, well-tolerated, and effective for treating dry eye disease. Patients using Lacrifill experienced:
- Significant improvement in tear production
- Noticeable relief in dry eye symptoms
- Benefits that lasted through 4-6 months
In the study, Lacrifill performed as well as—or better than—traditional canalicular plugs, with a high percentage of patients reporting meaningful improvement in comfort and quality of life.
Is Lacrifill Right for You?
Lacrifill may be a great option for many people with dry eye, including those who:
- Haven’t found enough relief from artificial tears alone
- Have tried punctal plugs in the past and they helped but fell out
- Are preparing for cataract or refractive surgery
- Want a longer-lasting, low-maintenance dry eye solution
Contraindications include a history of tear duct infection, scarring of the tear duct or prolonged ocular surface inflammation.
It is covered by insurance just like a regular punctal plug.
Because dry eye disease is different for everyone, the best treatment starts with a personalized evaluation. Dr. Pradhan performs both traditional punctal plugs and the new Lacrifill plugs.
Take the Next Step Toward Comfortable Vision
If dry eyes are affecting your daily life, we’re here to help. Call Eye Doctor MD, PC at (804) 270-3333 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Pradhan and find out whether Lacrifill is the right treatment for your dry eyes. Our team looks forward to helping you see and feel your best.
See the difference Lacrifill can make.
Hear firsthand from patients who’ve undergone Lacrifill treatment and learn how it helped reduce dry eye symptoms and improve comfort over time.
Watch these short patient success stories:
Success Story 1
Success Story 2