If you struggle with dry, irritated, burning, or fluctuating vision, you may be dealing with a poor tear film. For some patients, one of the biggest problems is not making the most of the tears they already have. LACRIFILL is a newer dry eye treatment designed to help keep your own natural tears on the surface of the eye longer, which may improve comfort and support a healthier ocular surface.

At Envision Optometry, we evaluate the root cause of your dry eye and determine whether LACRIFILL may be a good fit as part of your treatment plan.

 
What is LACRIFILL?
LACRIFILL is a cross-linked hyaluronic acid canalicular gel that is placed into the drainage system of the eyelids. Instead of acting like a traditional eye drop, it works by helping your eyes retain more of their own natural tears. The goal is to keep the eye better bathed in natural moisture rather than relying only on repeated artificial tears throughout the day.
LACRIFILL has been described by its manufacturer as an FDA-cleared canalicular gel for dry eye, with published clinical data evaluating both safety and effectiveness.
 
How does LACRIFILL work?
Your eyes constantly produce tears, but those tears also drain away through tiny openings called the puncta, which connect to the canaliculi. LACRIFILL is inserted through the punctum and fills the canalicular system with a soft hyaluronic acid gel. This helps reduce tear drainage so that your natural tears remain on the eye longer.

This is especially appealing for patients who are tired of using drops all day, feel frustrated by inconsistent relief, or want an option other than traditional punctal plugs.

 
Who May Be a Candidate for LACRIFILL?

LACRIFILL may be considered for patients with dry eye symptoms, especially when tear retention is part of the problem. It may be worth discussing if you:

• use artificial tears frequently

• feel like drops only help for a short time

• have contact lens discomfort related to dryness

• have struggled with punctal plugs

• have dry eye symptoms before or after ocular procedures

• want a treatment that helps preserve your own tears rather than simply adding more lubrication

The best way to know if you are a candidate is with a dry eye evaluation. Not every patient with dry eye needs tear retention therapy, and the right treatment depends on whether your symptoms are being driven by aqueous deficiency, meibomian gland dysfunction, inflammation, exposure, or a combination of factors.

 

Benefits of LACRIFILL for Dry Eye

Depending on the patient, possible benefits of LACRIFILL may include:

• longer retention of natural tears

• less dependence on artificial tears

• improved ocular comfort

• better support for contact lens wear

• an alternative for patients who have had trouble with plugs

 

Published data highlighted by the manufacturer includes a pilot study of 63 dry eye patients that found increased tear retention and increased tear volume lasting at least 3 months. The same page also reports that 63% of patients said their eyes felt better, while most reported no pain or infection in that study.

A later pivotal-study publication in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery reported outcomes related to Schirmer testing and corneal fluorescein staining, supporting its safety and effectiveness profile.

 

What to Expect During Treatment?

LACRIFILL is supplied in a pre-filled injector. During treatment, a small cannula tip is placed into the punctum and the gel is inserted into the drainage pathway. According to the manufacturer, one injector contains enough gel to treat the upper and lower canaliculi.
At your visit, we will first determine whether LACRIFILL makes sense for your type of dry eye. If it does, we will review the procedure, expected benefits, and any potential risks or side effects with you.

 

LACRIFILL vs Punctal Plugs​

Many patients are familiar with punctal plugs, which are small devices placed into the tear drainage opening. While plugs can be helpful, some patients find them uncomfortable, lose them, or prefer another option. The LACRIFILL manufacturer positions canalicular gel as an alternative for patients who have had issues with punctal plugs or want a different approach to tear retention.
One difference is that LACRIFILL uses a gel to fill the canalicular system rather than leaving a small plug at the opening. Whether that is better for you depends on your anatomy, symptom pattern, and treatment goals.
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Is LACRIFILL Right for You?
Dry eye is rarely one-size-fits-all. Some patients need better oil gland function. Some need inflammation control. Others may benefit from preserving the tears they already make. If your eyes still feel dry despite drops, or if contact lenses have become less comfortable, LACRIFILL may be an option worth exploring.

At Envision Optometry, we take a personalized approach to dry eye care and can help determine whether LACRIFILL fits into your treatment plan.

Schedule a dry eye evaluation to find out whether LACRIFILL may be appropriate for your eyes.


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