An interventional study of TearCare® in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (Disorder), sponsored by University of Alabama at Birmingham. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 29 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-11.
Sponsored by University of Alabama at Birmingham · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study is a non-randomized, open-label, interventional trial of TearCare® eyelid warming and manual meibomian gland expression in young adults with clinically significant meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Intervention is with TearCare® performed at Visit 1. A single follow-up examination occurs at Day 28.
This study is a non-randomized, open-label, interventional trial of TearCare® eyelid warming and manual meibomian gland expression in young adults with clinically significant MGD. Intervention is with TearCare® performed at Visit 1. A single follow-up examination occurs at Day 28.
The primary objective is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TearCare® in teenage and young-adult patients with MGD. A secondary objective includes a predictive analysis to determine which baseline clinical parameters best predict success with a TearCare treatment.
Co-primary efficacy endpoints include change from baseline in non-invasive keratograph break-up time (NIKBUT) at Day 28 and change from baseline in ocular surface disease index (OSDI) at Day 28. Secondary endpoints include the proportion of subjects with pre-defined baseline clinical characteristics who experience a clinically meaningful improvement in NIKBUT or OSDI. Exploratory endpoints include change from baseline in Dry Eye-Related Quality of Life Score (DEQS) at Day 28. The primary safety endpoint is the incidence of adverse effects that are probably or definitely related to the intervention.
The study population will include 45 young adults with clinically significant MGD (30 participants who are ≥18 to \<22 years of age and 15 participants who are ≥22 to \<30 years of age). The study duration is 4 weeks. TearCare® eyelid warming and manual gland expression will be performed once at Visit 1.
Exclusion Criteria:
Use of any of the following medications within 60 days of enrollment:
Any of the following procedural treatments for MGD in the past:
TearCare® eyelid warming and manual gland expression performed once at Visit 1 and followed for 4 weeks. All participants will undergo standardized ocular assessments including OSDI questionnaires, non-invasive keratograph break-up time, Visual acuity high contrast, Biomicroscopy, posterior lid margin hyperemia, Fluorescein tear breakup time, corneal fluorescein staining, conjunctival staining with lissamine green, lid wiper epitheliopathy with lissamine green, Surveys - DEQS, SANDE, Screen time-use, Lipview 11 lipid imaging, Keratograph R-scan, Keratogrpahy meibography, meiobomian gland expression by meibomian gland evaluator.
Device: TearCare®
The TearCare system is designed to deliver controlled, precise heat to the tarsal plates and underlying MGs of the eyelids for 15 minutes. The TearCare system is comprised of a reusable SmartHub and single-use SmartLids. The single-use SmartLid pair comprises four flexible, sensor-controlled strips that adhere to each of the four eyelids. They contain flexible circuits, sensors, and a microprocessor which provide accurate and precise thermal energy to the eyelids to melt oil in the meibomian glands. Medical grade adhesive on the skin-facing surface of the SmartLids allow them to be affixed to the external surface of the eyelids during the procedure and easily removed at the end of the procedure. The SmartLids are connected to the SmartHub. When attached to the SmartHub, the SmartLids deliver thermal energy (i.e., heat) to the eyelids. Embedded software and a closed loop sensor system ensures that the temperature delivered at the eyelids is maintained within a precise range.
OSDI AT 4 WEEKS
The OSDI is a 12-item questionnaire that queries a patient's symptom frequency, situational context, and environmental triggers.
Time frame: Baseline to 4 weeks
Non-Invasive Keratograph Break-Up Time(NIKBUT) at 4 weeks
The secondary efficacy endpoint is the proportion of subjects with pre-defined baseline clinical characteristics who experience a clinically meaningful improvement in NIKBUT or OSDI. A clinically meaningful improvement in NIKBUT is defined as at least a 2-second increase versus baseline or at least a 50% increase15 if baseline NIKBUT \<4 s. A clinically meaningful improvement in OSDI is defined as a decrease of 4.5 units for mild to moderate disease16 (OSDI ≥ 13 by \<33 at baseline) or 7.3 units for severe disease16 (OSDI ≥ 33 at baseline)
Time frame: Baseline to Week 4
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared outside of the study team, sponsor, or regulatory agencies. Participant data will be used only for analysis related to this study and may be reviewed by authorized representatives of the sponsor (Sight Sciences, Inc.), the University of Alabama at Birmingham Institutional Review Board (IRB), and regulatory authorities as required by law. De-identified summary results may be shared in aggregate form in publications or presentations, but no individual-level data will be made publicly available.
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University of Alabama at Birmingham