TY - JOUR T1 - Cochrane Eye and Vision Group JF - British Journal of Ophthalmology JO - Br J Ophthalmol SP - 764 LP - 765 DO - 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2011-300889 VL - 96 IS - 5 AU - Y C Yap AU - S Fraser AU - R Wormald Y1 - 2012/05/01 UR - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/96/5/764.abstract N2 - The Cochrane Reviews are prepared by members of the Cochrane Eye and Vision Group (CEVG) and provide up to date evidence to inform decisions on eye care. The reviews are based on reports of randomised controlled trials, and information from journals and electronic databases.For this issue the authors have selected some recent reviews, provide a synopsis for the benefit of readers and include a take home message at the end of each summary.A-M Ervin, R Wojciechowski and O Schein reviewed the safety and efficacy of punctual plugs for the management of dry eye (in press). Moderate and severe cases of dry eyes may require punctual occlusion with plugs which induce a mechanical blockade of the tear punctum and canaliculi.The authors included randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of collagen or silicone punctal plugs in symptomatic participants diagnosed with aqueous tear deficiency or dry eye syndrome. Seven randomised controlled trials including 305 participants (601 eyes) met their inclusion criteria and are summarised in this review. However, few studies demonstrated a benefit of punctal plugs over the comparison intervention. This systematic review shows a relative scarcity of controlled clinical trials assessing the efficacy of punctal occlusion therapy in dry eye. The data suggest that silicone … ER -