What surgical instrument is commonly used to enlarge the punctum?

The instrument commonly used to enlarge the punctum is the dilator. Dilators are specifically designed to gently expand or widen a passage, such as the punctum, which are the small openings at the corner of the eyelids that drain tears. By using a dilator, the clinician can effectively increase the size of the punctum, which can be important for various procedures, such as facilitating the insertion of a punctal plug or managing certain ocular conditions.

Other instruments like forceps and clamps serve different purposes in surgery, primarily for gripping or securing tissue, while needles are generally used for suturing or injecting substances rather than enlarging anatomical structures. Hence, the choice of a dilator is essential in this context for its specific function in enlarging punctum openings.