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When you blink, tears are produced to cleanse and lubricate your eyes. Excess tears are drained away through the tear ducts into the sinus cavity. That is why your nose runs when you cry.

The tears enter the nasal lactermal duct through the punctum. You can see in this diagram that there is a punctual port on both the upper and lower eye lid of each eye.

If your cornea isn't getting enough moisture, you could have dry eye complications. Often times, dry eye conditions can be treated with over-the-counter eye drops. If this type of therapy doesn't work effectively, other treatment options for dry eyes may include prescription eye drops or punctual plug inserts.

Punctual plugs can be used to partially or fully block the tear ducts to help retain tear film moisture. Your eye doctor might insert temporary plugs that may dissolve in a few weeks to test you for compatibility and effectively. If they work well, your doctor can easily insert permanent plugs that do not dissolve.

Talk to your eye care professional for more information about dry eye syndrome and treatments involving eye drop therapy and/or punctual plugs.

Corneal Molding, also know as Ortho K or OrthoKeratology is a non-surgical procedure used to temporarily reshape the cornea. Some mild cases of near sightedness and astigmatism can be treated by simply changing the shape of the cornea, to correct the way it refracts light.

A specially designed contact lens, which is rigid and gas permeable, is made specifically for your eye. This lens can be worn during the day or overnight. The lens itself is fitted so that it places gentle pressure on the center of the cornea, causing it to change shape. The outer part of the lens surrounds your central visual zone and is further away from the surface of the eye. The combination of the pressure at the center and space around the outer part causes a reshaping of your cornea. With your cornea reshaped the light can now focus properly on the retina at the back of the eye.

The process is painless and not permanent, so retainer contacts must be worn periodically to maintain the shape of the cornea. This also makes the process completely reversible, simply stop wearing the retainers and your cornea will return to its natural shape.

Corneal Molding is a non-invasive alternative to corrective surgery. Ask your eyecare provider for information to see if you qualify for Corneal Molding.