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Dry Eye Disease is a persistent condition that affects millions of people, causing discomfort, blurred vision and a lasting impact on quality of life. At Clinica London, we are pleased to offer Lacrifill® – a clinically proven canalicular gel that provides up to six months of relief from dry eye symptoms by helping your eyes retain their natural tears. Lacrifill® is a minimally invasive, reversible treatment suitable for adult patients experiencing dry eye symptoms such as redness, burning, itching, reflex tearing, or the sensation of something in the eye.
Lacrifill® is a soft, cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel developed by Nordic Pharma. It is introduced into the lacrimal canaliculus – the small tear drainage channel in your eyelid – to slow tear drainage and keep your natural tears on the eye surface for longer.
It is a CE-marked class IIb medical device, preservative free and administered by a qualified consultant at our Harley Street clinic.
The gel fills the lacrimal canaliculus, acting as a plug to slow the drainage of tears away from the eye surface. Its hydrophilic (water-attracting) nature means it absorbs moisture and expands gently to stay comfortably in place, conforming to your unique anatomy with no sizing required.
Lacrifill® is suitable for adult patients with dry eye symptoms including redness, burning, itching, reflex tearing or a foreign body sensation. It is particularly beneficial for patients with sensitive eyes, allergies, or those planning or recovering from eye surgery such as cataract or refractive procedures.
Yes. One of the key advantages of Lacrifill® is that it is fully reversible. If for any reason you do not wish to continue, the gel can be easily removed by syringing with sterile saline at any time. No fixation is required and no incision is made.
Lacrifill® is effective for up to six months. At that point, the gel can be removed and a repeat treatment administered if ongoing relief is required. Many patients choose to maintain treatment on a rolling six-month basis.
Lacrifill® is well tolerated. In the clinical trial, no patient discontinued due to a side effect. A small number of patients may experience mild eyelid discomfort or watery eye. A thorough consultation will assess your suitability.
Lacrifill® canalicular gel. Source: Nordic Pharma.
Lacrifill® is a soft, cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel developed by Nordic Pharma for the treatment of dry eye disease. It works by filling the lacrimal canaliculus – the small channel in your eyelid responsible for draining tears away from the surface of the eye. By temporarily occupying this space, Lacrifill® slows tear drainage, allowing your natural tears to remain on the eye surface for longer.
Because of its hydrophilic (water-attracting) nature, the gel absorbs moisture from your tears and expands gently to stay comfortably in place. The gel is designed to completely fill and adapt to the tear drainage channels, meaning no individual sizing or fitting is required – it conforms to your unique anatomy. It does not require any fixation and can be easily removed by syringing with sterile saline if needed.
Lacrifill® is a CE-marked class IIb medical device, administered by a qualified healthcare professional. It is preservative free and suitable for adult patients.
Slows tear drainage through the canaliculus, keeping your own natural tears on the eye surface for longer and reducing dry eye symptoms.
Administered using a fine cannula under local anaesthetic eye drops. No surgery, no incisions, no stitches. The procedure takes only a few minutes.
The gel can be removed by syringing with sterile saline at any time if needed – giving patients complete peace of mind.
Ideal for patients with sensitive eyes or known allergies to preservatives found in many conventional eye drops and treatments.
A single treatment provides dry eye relief for up to six months, with the option to repeat treatment for ongoing benefit.
Unlike punctal plugs, Lacrifill® conforms to the shape of each patient’s canaliculus, so no individual fitting or sizing is needed.
Your tears drain away from the eye through tiny channels called canaliculi, located in the inner corner of each eyelid. In patients with dry eye, this drainage can happen too quickly, leaving the eye surface insufficiently lubricated.
Lacrifill® is introduced into one or both of these channels using a fine cannula, in a quick and straightforward procedure performed under local anaesthetic eye drops. Once in place, the gel acts as a plug – slowing tear drainage and helping to maintain a healthy, lubricating tear film on the surface of the eye.
A Lacrifill® treatment session at Clinica London.
Diagram showing the lacrimal canaliculus and where Lacrifill® sits in the tear drainage system. Source: Nordic Pharma.
Punctal plugs have been used for dry eye management for over 30 years. They are small silicone devices inserted into the punctum (the opening of the drainage channel) to reduce tear drainage. While effective, they carry certain limitations that Lacrifill® is designed to address.
As a gel rather than a rigid device, Lacrifill® conforms to the shape of the canaliculus, stays in place through its hydrophilic properties, and is straightforwardly reversible by simple syringing – no procedure required for removal.
It represents a modern approach to punctal occlusion that our consultants now offer alongside established treatments, particularly for patients who have had problems with conventional plugs or who prefer a gel-based option.
Lacrifill® is suitable for adult patients experiencing dry eye symptoms. You may benefit from Lacrifill® if you:
Lacrifill® can also be used alongside other dry eye treatments such as lubricating eye drops, warm compresses, OptiLight IPL or OptiLIFT, as part of a broader dry eye management plan. A thorough consultation with one of our specialists will determine the right combination for you.
A specialist consultation will assess your symptoms and confirm whether Lacrifill® is the right option for you.
Book a consultation NOWWe have a thorough and structured approach to all treatments, beginning with an expert assessment that will inform and guide your individual care plan.
Your journey begins with a specialist consultation. Our consultants will assess your dry eye symptoms, review your history, and confirm whether Lacrifill® is appropriate for you.
They will explain whether unilateral (one eye) or bilateral (both eyes) treatment is recommended, and answer all your questions. There is no obligation to proceed.
The treatment is quick and minimally invasive. Local anaesthetic eye drops are applied to ensure your comfort. Your consultant will then gently introduce the Lacrifill® gel into the lacrimal canaliculus of one or both eyes using a fine cannula.
The procedure takes only a few minutes. Please allow around 30 minutes for your appointment in total, including time for the anaesthetic drops to take effect.
You can return to your normal activities immediately after the procedure. You may experience some temporary blurring due to the anaesthetic drops – we recommend arranging alternative transport home and avoiding driving until your vision has fully cleared.
Lacrifill® is effective for up to six months. We will schedule your follow-up appointment to assess your response and discuss repeat treatment if needed. Avoid contact lenses immediately after the procedure; your consultant will advise when you can resume lens wear.
Lacrifill® has been evaluated in a prospective, multicentre, randomised controlled trial and shown to produce clinically and statistically significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of dry eye, sustained over six months.
The clinical study (Packer et al., J Cataract Refract Surg, 2024) showed measurable results by day 7, with improvements in:
The treatment was well tolerated and easy to insert and remove. No patient discontinued the study due to a side effect.
In a separate patient satisfaction survey conducted in the USA (Chapman & Grohol, Modern Optometry, 2025), 52 out of 53 patients stated they would repeat Lacrifill® treatment – a testament to both the efficacy and tolerability of this approach.
At Clinica London, Lacrifill® is offered by our specialist consultants as part of a comprehensive dry eye management service, alongside OptiLight IPL and OptiLIFT where appropriate.
Lacrifill® is generally well tolerated. In the clinical trial, patients experienced no to minimal discomfort during the procedure itself, and no patient discontinued the study due to a side effect. As with any in-clinic eye procedure, a small number of patients may experience mild side effects.
Our specialist consultants are available Monday to Friday at 140 Harley Street. Every Lacrifill® treatment is individually assessed and administered by our Consultant ophthalmic team.
Founder and Medical Director of Clinica London, with 30 years’ specialist experience in oculoplastic and lacrimal surgery. President of the International Society of Dacryology and dry eye (2024–2026).
Internationally recognised specialist in cornea, external eye diseases, cataract, keratoconus and refractive surgery. Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Multiple award-winning Consultant trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Member of both the International Tear Health Academy and the European Dry Eye Society.
Highly accomplished comprehensive ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon with advanced fellowship training from Queen’s University, Canada.
Specialist in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery with particular expertise in eyelid conditions and their relationship to ocular surface disease and dry eye management.
A full consultation with one of our specialists will assess your dry eye symptoms and confirm whether Lacrifill® is the right treatment for you.
Book a consultation NOWLacrifill® treatment cost has three components: facility fee, procedure fee, and product cost.
| Unilateral (one eye) | Bilateral (both eyes) | |
|---|---|---|
| All-inclusive self pay price | £650 | £950 |
Speak to one of our specialists to find out whether Lacrifill® is suitable for your symptoms and treatment goals.
Book a consultation NOWReferences
Clinical claims