Prevalence of XXXX requiring removal of SmartPlugs.

@entity1 @entity936 @entity6134
PURPOSE: To report the first accurate prevalence of @entity6134 associated with the use of the SmartPlug. METHODS: All @entity1 from a single private ophthalmology practice who received SmartPlugs from 2002 to 2007 were identified. All @entity1 from the private ophthalmology practice that developed @entity6134 secondary to SmartPlug insertion were referred to a single private ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery office. A retrospective review of those 17 @entity1 was performed. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2007, a total of 235 @entity1 were identified from a single private ophthalmology practice with a total of 402 SmartPlugs inserted. Of those 235 @entity1 , 17 developed @entity6134 and were referred to a single private ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery office. The prevalence of @entity6134 per @entity1 was 7.23%. The prevalence of @entity6134 per SmartPlug inserted was 4.73%. The average time from SmartPlugs insertion to onset of symptoms was 3 years. All affected @entity1 required canaliculotomy and plug removal. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study reporting the prevalence of @entity6134 associated with the use of the SmartPlug. All affected @entity1 required surgical intervention, after which many continued to have @entity936 and one required bilateral Jones tubes. Ophthalmologists using the SmartPlug for the treatment of @entity936 should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of their use.
