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TearCare in Young Adults
Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Summary
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.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 29 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
45
Start Date
2026-11-01
Completion Date
2027-12-01
Last Updated
2026-10-29
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
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 comprises a reusable Smart-hub and single-use Smart-lids. The single-use Smart-lid 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 Smart-lids allows them to be affixed to the external surface of the eyelids during the procedure and easily removed at the end of the procedure. The Smart-lids are connected to the Smart-hub. When attached to the Smart-hub, the Smart-lids deliver thermal energy (i.e., heat) to the eyelids. Embedded software and a closed loop sensor system ensure that the temperature delivered at the eyelids is maintained within a precise range.
Locations (1)
University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry, Clinical Eye Research Facility
Birmingham, Alabama, United States