LacriFill® Canalicular Gel is an in-office dry eye treatment designed to reduce tear drainage so your eyes can stay lubricated by your own natural tears for longer periods of time. At our Miami Beach optometry clinic, Dr. Rachel Shlomov, OD offers LacriFill as part of a diagnostic-driven dry eye treatment plan, especially for patients whose symptoms are related to low tear volume, tear instability, or rapid tear drainage, making LacriFill Dry Eye Treatment in Miami Beach a strong option when retention is the missing piece.
What is LacriFill?
What is Lacrifill? LacriFill is a cross-linked hyaluronic acid canalicular gel that is placed into the tear drainage system to temporarily occlude (block) tear outflow. It is FDA-cleared and indicated for use for up to 6 months in patients experiencing dry eye symptoms.
How LacriFill works
Most dry eye treatments focus on adding lubrication or improving the oil layer of the tear film. LacriFill approaches the problem differently: it helps the eye hold onto the tears you already produce.
Tears normally drain from the eye through small openings in the eyelids (the puncta) into the canaliculi. LacriFill is instilled into the inferior tear duct, where the gel conforms to the anatomy and temporarily occludes the canalicular system, slowing tear drainage. By keeping tears on the ocular surface longer, the tear film can become more stable and protective, which may reduce irritation and help the surface heal.
Because the material is a cross-linked hyaluronic acid derivative, it is designed to persist and provide occlusion over months, supporting longer-lasting relief for patients considering LacriFill Dry Eye Treatment in Miami Beach.
What the procedure is like
LacriFill is performed in the office. After numbing drops are placed, the gel is delivered via a small cannula into the tear drainage channel. The goal is a full canalicular fill to achieve consistent occlusion without relying on a rigid plug that can sometimes shift or extrude. This in-office Lacrifill Procedure is designed to be straightforward and comfortable.
Most patients return to normal activities right away.
Who is a good candidate for LacriFill?
LacriFill may be a strong option when dry eye symptoms are driven by insufficient tear volume or when tears drain too quickly off the eye. It is often considered for patients who want longer-lasting tear retention than frequent artificial tear use, and for those who have not found sustained relief from drops alone.
The right way to decide is through a dry eye evaluation. Diagnostic testing helps determine whether you primarily have evaporative dry eye (MGD-dominant), aqueous-deficient dry eye, or a mixed presentation, because LacriFill is especially useful when tear retention is a key limiting factor.
How long does LacriFill last?
LacriFill is indicated for use up to 6 months. Many patients pursue it as a longer-acting tear retention strategy within a chronic dry eye management plan.
How LacriFill fits into a comprehensive dry eye plan
Dry eye is rarely one-dimensional. LacriFill can be paired intelligently with therapies that improve the quality of the tear film, such as treatments for meibomian gland dysfunction and eyelid inflammation (IPL, thermal expression, RF), while LacriFill supports the tear film by keeping moisture on the eye longer. This “quality + retention” approach is often where patients notice the biggest shift, and it’s a key reason LacriFill Dry Eye Treatment in Miami Beach is often positioned as part of a sequenced plan rather than a standalone fix.
Why choose Dr. Rachel Shlomov for LacriFill in Miami Beach?
Dr. Rachel Shlomov, OD provides LacriFill in Miami Beach as part of a structured dry eye program built around diagnostic testing, ocular surface evaluation, and individualized treatment sequencing. Patients looking for a dry eye optometrist in Miami Beach appreciate a plan that is designed around the cause of their symptoms, not a one-size-fits-all recommendation.
If you’re experiencing chronic dryness, burning, fluctuating vision, or you feel like your eyes “dry out quickly” after using drops, LacriFill may be an option. Schedule a dry eye evaluation to determine whether tear retention therapy is appropriate for your eyes and whether the Lacrifill Procedure is the right next step. For many patients, LacriFill Dry Eye Treatment in Miami Beach is most effective when it’s matched to the underlying driver of symptoms.