Blinking stays natural
Because the SmartLids are thin and flexible, patients keep their eyes open and can blink through the whole session.
In-office procedures · Thermal gland expression
TearCare Heat the glands with eyes open, then express.
The TearCare System warms all four eyelids at once through flexible SmartLids that sense and control temperature, and the clinician then expresses the meibomian glands by hand. It is an in-office treatment for adults with evaporative dry eye disease caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
15 minof heat per treatment
41–45°Cworking temperature range
4lids warmed together
Up to 1 yrpossible benefit, often starting within a week
Why practices add it
Warm the lids, then clear the glands
MGD drives most dry eye disease, and TearCare is built to treat it. SmartLids warm the outside of the eyelids while the patient keeps both eyes open and blinks normally, then the clinician clears the softened glands with manual expression.
Benefit can show up fast
Patients can notice a change within a week, and improved gland function may last as long as a year.
Head to head with an Rx drop
In clinical research, TearCare produced significantly better symptom results than the leading prescription dry eye medication, and patients found it more convenient.
Ayres et al. 2023Less reliance on daily drops
One office treatment can stand in for months of prescription drops, which can ease the burden of daily compliance.
A published evidence base
Ten peer-reviewed papers support how well and how safely the TearCare System works.
Gupta et al. 2022; Holland et al. 2022What comes in the system
Controlled heat paired with the clinician's hands: single-use SmartLids, a battery-powered SmartHub and manual gland expression.
- Eyes stay open and comfortable
- All four lids in one session
- 15 minutes of heat
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SmartLids
Flexible single-use pieces with an adhesive back that stick to all four eyelids. Each one carries its own circuits, sensors and microprocessor.
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SmartHub
A battery-powered controller with a microprocessor and a rechargeable Li-ion battery good for at least four treatments, plus a countdown display and buttons to adjust temperature.
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Held temperature
The lids stay between 41 and 45°C (106 to 113°F) and never above the 47°C (117°F) maximum. Warmth Level 5 is the default and can be turned down if the patient wants.
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Expression by hand
Within three minutes of taking the SmartLids off, the clinician expresses the meibomian glands with a separate instrument.
In the chair
How a TearCare visit runs
The lids are cleaned, any contact lenses come out and SmartLids go on all four eyelids before heating starts.
15 minutes of heat
The SmartLids warm the outside of the lids for 15 minutes while the patient's eyes stay open, and the temperature can be turned down mid-session for comfort.
Expressing the glands
The SmartLids come off and the clinician expresses the meibomian glands within three minutes using a separate instrument.
Afterward
Contact lenses can go back in 60 minutes after treatment. Patients may see results within a week, lasting as long as a year.
Specs and safety information
Technical specifications
| Treatment time | 15-minute thermal procedure |
|---|---|
| Temperature range | 41–45°C (106–113°F) |
| Maximum allowable temperature | 47°C (117°F) |
| Default setting | Warmth Level 5, adjusted with the +/- buttons |
| SmartLids | Single-use, adhesive, sensor-controlled; four pieces (a left and right pair) covering all four lids |
| Connection | 4-foot cable from the SmartLids to the SmartHub (L and R ports) |
| Power | Rechargeable Li-ion battery, at least 4 treatments per charge |
| Patient age | Adults 22 and older |
Indications for use
The TearCare® System is a thermal-activated gland expression therapy that improves meibomian gland function in adult patients with evaporative dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), when used in conjunction with manual expression of the meibomian glands.
Contraindications
- Recent (i.e. within the last 90 days) surgical procedure to the eye or eyelid
- Recent ocular injury
- History of Herpes Simplex or Herpes Zoster of the eye or eyelid
- Active ocular or periocular infection, inflammation or irritation
- Diminished or abnormal facial, periocular, ocular, or corneal sensation
- Ocular surface ulcers
- Hordeolum, stye, or chalazion
- Do not use TearCare in patients under the age of 22 years
- Pacemakers or implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD)
- Known allergy to acrylate
- Known allergy to silicone tissue adhesives
- Known allergy to copper
Warnings and precautions
- Do not use the TearCare System outside the instructions for use described in this manual
- Do not attempt to connect the SmartHub or SmartLid directly to an electrical outlet
- Do not use the TearCare System in or near an MRI suite or near a magnetic field
- The TearCare System has not been tested in the presence of flammable anesthetics
- Do not apply SmartLids to non-intact skin (i.e., skin with active abrasion, cut, burn, rash, inflammation, redness, etc.)
- Do not reuse the SmartLids™. Cross-contamination can occur
Possible side effects
- Eyelid or eye pain requiring discontinuation of the treatment procedure
- Eyelid irritation or inflammation
- Ocular surface irritation or inflammation
- Ocular symptoms (such as burning, redness, tearing, visual disturbance)
- Burning, erythema, or swelling of the eyelids
- Conjunctival infection (moderate or severe)
- Conjunctival abrasion
- Corneal abrasion
- Corneal deformation
- Allergic or inflammatory reaction to medical adhesive
- Formation of a chalazion or stye
- Decline in visual acuity
- Worsening of dry eye symptoms
- Increased discomfort or pain of ocular surface
- Discomfort or pain of eyelids or orbit
- There is a potential risk of thermal injury to eye or eyelid
Questions doctors ask about TearCare
How long is a TearCare visit?
Heating takes 15 minutes, and the clinician expresses the meibomian glands within three minutes after the SmartLids come off.
Do patients keep their eyes closed?
No. The flexible SmartLids let patients keep their eyes open and blink normally, and blinking also helps spread the heat during treatment.
What should contact lens wearers do?
Take the lenses out before treatment. They can go back in 60 minutes afterward.
When do patients notice a difference?
Often within a week, and the benefit may last up to a year.
Can SmartLids be used again?
No. Each set is single-use, because reusing them risks cross-contamination.
Which patients should not have TearCare?
Patients under 22, those with a pacemaker or implantable cardiac defibrillator, recent eye or lid surgery or injury, active ocular infection or inflammation, or a known allergy to acrylate, silicone tissue adhesive or copper. The full contraindications list is above.
Published studies
- Ayres BD, et al. TearCare® vs. Cyclosporine (SAHARA). Clin Ophthalmol. 2023;17:3925-3940. PubMed
- Gupta PK, et al. TearCare for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. Cornea. 2022;41(4):417-426. PubMed
- Holland EJ, et al. A Comparison of TearCare and Lipiflow Systems. Clin Ophthalmol. 2022;16:2861-2871. PubMed
Offer open-eye thermal expression for MGD.
TearCare is an in-office heat treatment for adults with evaporative dry eye from MGD, finished with gland expression by the clinician.
TearCare System is a trademark of Sight Sciences. Read the complete manufacturer instructions for use, including every warning, precaution and contraindication, before use. Individual results vary.