In-Office Procedures · Treatment

TearCare System (Sight Sciences)

Open-eye wearable thermal therapy for MGD, the patient blinks naturally during treatment, followed by clinician-performed manual expression. Included in TFOS DEWS III. 24-month RCT durability data published 2025.

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Written by the Dry Eye Rescue clinical team | Medically reviewed by the DER Medical Advisory Panel | Last updated June 2026

Key points

  • Manufacturer direct through Sight Sciences.
  • Open-eye design lets the patient blink during 15 minutes of controlled heat.
  • Heating is followed by clinician-performed meibomian gland expression.
  • FDA 510(k) cleared for evaporative dry eye due to MGD; included in TFOS DEWS III.

How it works

TearCare uses a pair of single-use, flexible SmartLid devices that conform to the outer surface of the eyelids. Unlike closed-eye thermal pulsation systems, TearCare is worn with the eyes open, allowing natural blinking throughout the 15-minute heating phase. Controlled, sustained heat (42°C) is applied to the tarsal plate and meibomian glands. After the heating phase, the clinician performs manual meibomian gland expression (debridement-expression) to clear the warmed, mobilized meibum.

The open-eye design is based on Thermal-Activated Restorative Gland Expression Therapy (TARGET), the rationale being that natural blinking during heating contributes to more complete gland mobilization and patient comfort.

FDA clearance

TearCare received FDA 510(k) clearance in December 2021 for the application of localized heat therapy in adult patients with evaporative dry eye disease due to MGD, when used in conjunction with manual expression of the meibomian glands. Updated 510(k) clearance for the TearCare MGX System was granted in April 2025 (K242786).

TFOS DEWS III Recognition

In September 2025, Sight Sciences announced that the TearCare System was included in the TFOS DEWS III Management and Therapy Report, the first time TearCare has been formally recognized in the global evidence-based dry eye guidelines. The report cites both the OLYMPIA and SAHARA clinical studies in support of TearCare's efficacy.

Clinical evidence

  • OLYMPIA RCT, TearCare compared with LipiFlow (2022, Cornea), Multicenter, randomized, non-inferiority trial (n=135). Single TearCare treatment produced equivalent improvements to LipiFlow in TBUT (+3.0 sec), MGSS (+11.2 pts), OSDI ( to 27.9 pts), and SANDE ( to 38.2 pts) at 1 month. 72% of TearCare patients improved OSDI by at least one severity category. PMC, Cornea
  • SAHARA RCT Stage 1, TearCare compared with Restasis (2023, Ophthalmology), First multicenter RCT comparing an interventional eyelid procedure to a leading pharmaceutical (cyclosporine 0.05%). TearCare showed statistically superior TBUT improvement at 6 months compared with twice-daily Restasis. Sight Sciences press release
  • SAHARA RCT Stage 3, 24-month durability data (2025), 66% of patients who received two TearCare treatments required no additional treatment through 24 months. Mean TBUT ranged 6.29 to 7.13 seconds compared with baseline of 4.41 seconds across all follow-up timepoints (all p<0.0001). MGSS improvements observed at 6 months maintained through 24 months. Eyes on Eyecare, 24-month SAHARA data
  • TFOS DEWS III inclusion, Sight Sciences announcement (September 2025) Sight Sciences

Manufacturer

Sight Sciences, TearCare product page

Availability

TearCare is available through Sight Sciences direct sales. Contact Sight Sciences for demo scheduling, pricing, and consumable programs for the single-use SmartLid devices.

Sources are linked inline above. Device descriptions reference FDA clearance status, published peer-reviewed studies, and manufacturer data. Clinical outcomes are not a guarantee of individual results. Review full prescribing information, the IFU, and FDA clearance documentation for each device before use.

Explore TearCare

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