Does the Oasis Form Fit plug ABSORB BACTERIA, Drugs or Protein?
According to the manufacturer, bacteria will not absorb into the hydrated canalicular plug. The hydrogel material forming the hydrated canalicular plug is a homogenous material that is not micro-porous. The pores of the material are too small to allow bacterial penetration. There have been some reports of infections using intracanalicular plugs. It should be noted that Form Fit plugs are FDA approved devices. Most drugs placed on the eye will dissolve in the tear fluid. They may ultimately diffuse into the hydrated hydrogel plug. The diffusion of the drug components from the tear fluid into the hydrated plug will be very slow and will ultimately depend on the length of time the drug is in contact with the hydrated plug. The effects are not clinically significant. Proteins will deposit on the surface of hydrated hydrogel plugs. This also occurs for other punctal and canalicular plugs. However, this will not affect either the performance or the safety of this or other competitive plugs.
