More easily visualized punctum plug configurations

Abstract

An improved punctum plug is more easily visualized when positioned within a punctual canal of a recipient. The body of the plug features an outwardly exposed surface when properly positioned, and a substance causing at least the outwardly exposed surface to contrast with surrounding tissue, such that the use of the substance causes the plug to be more easily visualized than if the substance were not present. The substance, which may be disposed on the outwardly exposed surface or within the body of the plug, may include a saturated coloration, or may be phosphorescent, fluorescent or otherwise operative to reflect or re-radiate light to assist in visualization. For example, the substance may include an organic or inorganic phosphor or fluorescent material, reflective beads, quantum dots, a dye or pigment. Such reflection or re-radiation may occur at the same or different wavelength(s) compared to the illumination wavelength(s), whether or not either or both are within the visible part of the spectrum. If outside the visible region, a detector may be employed according to the invention for detecting the radiated light. A system for determining whether or not a punctum plug is positioned within the punctal canal of a person's eye is also enclosed, including at least one optical element permitting the eye to view itself, to be viewed by the other eye, or by a second person.

I claim:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for viewing a punctum plug illuminated by a source of light in a person's eye, comprising: 
 a lens for magnifying the image of the punctum plug;    at least one light redirecting element for presenting the magnified image of the plug to an eye of an observer; and    one or more optical element for blocking the light from the source of light from reaching the observer's eye.    
     
     
         2 . A system for determining whether or not a punctum plug is positioned within the punctal canal of a person's eye, the system comprising: 
 the punctum plug of  claim 1;  and    at least one optical element permitting the eye to view itself, to be viewed by the other eye, or by a second person.    
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element includes a source of light at one or more illumination wavelengths causing the plug to reflect or re-radiate light.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the light which is reflected or re-radiated by the plug occurs at one or more wavelengths which are different from the illumination wavelength or wavelengths.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further including a filter to block or separate the reflected or re-radiated wavelength(s) from the illumination wavelength(s).  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , further including a detector to detect the reflected or re-radiated wavelength(s).  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element includes a magnifier.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element includes a beam splitter or mirror permitting the eye to view itself or to be viewed by the other eye, or by a second person.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , including a plurality of light redirecting elements enabling the person to view the eye containing the plug by the person's other eye.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the light redirecting element enables a person other than the person wearing the plug to view the plug.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the light redirecting element enables the person wearing the plug to view the plug with the person's other eye.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the light redirecting element is switchable between a first position, such that a person other than the person wearing the plug is able to view the plug; and    a first position, such that the person wearing the plug is able to view the plug with the person's other eye.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the plug radiates light at a wavelength other than the one used for illumination; and    the optical element for blocking the light from the source includes a wavelength-selective filter.