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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
2026-08-01
Completion Date
2027-12-01
Last Updated
2026-05-11
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 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.
Locations (1)
University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry, Clinical Eye Research Facility
Birmingham, Alabama, United States