Atelocollagen punctal occlusion in dry eye patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of atelocollagen punctal occlusion for dry eye patients.
Design: Prospective noncomparative interventional case series.
Methods: Atelocollagen was injected into the superior and inferior canaliculi of 52 eyes of 28 dry eye patients. Vital staining of the ocular surface, breakup time of tears (BUT), tear volume, and corneal epithelial permeability to fluorescein were examined before and 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after treatment.
Results: Rose bengal stain, fluorescein stain, BUT, and corneal epithelial permeability to fluorescence were significantly improved 1 week after atelocollagen punctal occlusion, and the improvement was maintained for up to 8 weeks after treatment.
Conclusions: Atelocollagen punctal occlusion effectively improves ocular surface disorders in dry eye patients.