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Pilot Study of TearCare System - Long-Term Extension

Pilot Study of TearCare System - Long-Term Extension

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03804502
Enrollment
12
Registered
2019-01-15
Start date
2018-12-17
Completion date
2019-05-21
Last updated
2025-10-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Dry Eye Syndromes

Brief summary

The objective of the study is to evaluate the long-term clinical utility, safety, and effectiveness of re-treatment with the TearCare™ System in adult patients with dry eye syndrome who had previously been treated with the TearCare System.

Detailed description

This was an extension of an initial 6-month, prospective, single-center, randomized, parallel-group pilot study (NCT03006978). In the initial study, subjects with dry eye disease (DED) were randomized to either a single TearCare® treatment or 4 weeks of daily warm compress therapy. The extension study involved retreatment of those subjects assigned to the TearCare® treatment group following the initial 6-month end point. At 6 months, subjects were evaluated for the clinical signs and symptoms of DED prior to retreatment in the extension study that would measure the safety, effectiveness, and durability of a TearCare® retreatment for another 6 months through a 12-month end point.

Interventions

DEVICETearCare

The TearCare System warms the eyelids to melt the meibum by applying heat to the external surface of the eyelids for 15 minutes. Following completion of the thermal portion of the procedure, the clinician performs manual expression of each of the eyelids.

Sponsors

Sight Sciences, Inc.
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Previously enrolled in the TearCare arm of the TearCare Pilot Study * Reports dry eye symptoms within 3 months of the baseline examination with a Standard Patient Evaluation for Dryness (SPEED) score ≥ 6 * TBUT of \<10 seconds in at least one eye * Willing to comply with the study, procedures, and follow-up * Willing and able to provide consent

Exclusion criteria

* Any active ocular or peri-ocular infection or inflammation * Recurrent eye inflammation within the past 3 months * Ocular surgery, oculoplastic surgery, ocular injury, Ocular Herpes Simplex, or Herpes Zoster * Ocular surface abnormalities that may affect tear film distribution or treatment * Abnormal eyelid function in either eye * Diminished or abnormal facial, periocular, ocular or corneal sensation * Ocular surface abnormalities such as corneal epithelial defects, ulcers, corneal dystrophies * Systemic diseases resulting in dry eye (e.g. Sjogren's syndrome) * Allergies to silicone tissue adhesives * An absence or fibrosis of the Meibomian glands (e.g. ectodermal dysplasia). * Unwillingness to abstain for the duration of the study from systemic medication known to cause ocular dryness (e.g. Accutane, antihistamines, etc.) * Anyone who requires chronic use (i.e. for any portion of the study) of topical ophthalmic antibiotics, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or who has been on any of these medications within the past 30 days. * Unwillingness to washout and remain off certain dry eye medications for the duration of the study. * Participation in another ophthalmic clinical trial within the past 30 days * Co-existing conditions that could interfere with the assessment of safety or efficacy of treatment (e.g. macular disease, pregnancy, nursing, etc.)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mean Change in Tear Break-Up Time From Extension Study Baseline to Month 11 monthThe TBUT was evaluated by measuring the time to breakup of the tear film following a complete blink when viewed through the slit-lamp using a cobalt blue filter. The TBUT was recorded using a stopwatch for each eye as the average of 3 measurements at each visit. The change in TBUT was The difference between the mean baseline value and the mean Month 1 value. The TBUT for each eye for a subject was averaged resulting in a single TBUT value for each subject (n=12).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mean Change in SPEED II Questionnaire Result From Extension Study Baseline to Month 11 monthThe Standard Patient Evaluation for Eye Dryness II (SPEED II) questionnaire is a well-validated instrument and widely used assessment tool for dry eye indications. The SPEED II questionnaire was used to evaluate the symptoms of study subjects. The SPEED II survey measures the severity (0-4 scale) and frequency (0-3 scale) of DED symptoms. The SPEED score was calculated by adding the total of the frequency and severity scores; a score of greater than or equal to 6 may be an indicator of DED (range 0 \[best\] to 7 \[worst\]). The reported value is the mean of the change for all subjects. A negative result indicates improvement.
Mean Change in OSDI Questionnaire Result From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1.1 monthThe Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) is a 12-item questionnaire that assesses symptoms of ocular irritation associated with dry eye and the impact of these on vision-related activities. The OSDI score ranges from 0 (best possible) to 100 (worst possible). The change in OSDI questionnaire from baseline to Month 1 is the difference between the scores at the two timepoints. A negative value would indicate improvement and a positive value, a worsening. The reported value is the mean of the change for all subjects.
Mean Change in Meibomian Gland Score From Extension Study Baseline to Month 11 monthUsing a Korb Meibomian Gland Evaluator (TearScience), the meibomian gland assessment was conducted by evaluating the consistency of the secretions that were observed upon expression of meibomian glands in the nasal, central, and temporal regions of the lower eyelids. The central, consecutive 5 glands in each region were evaluated. The instrument was held at the eyelid margin for 10-15 seconds, and the secretions were graded on a 0-3 scale for each gland (0=no expression; 1=toothpaste; 2=cloudy; and 3=clear), with a 0 (worst)-45 (best) score range for each eye. The score for each eye of a subject was averaged. The change from baseline in the Meibomian Gland Score is the difference between the mean baseline value and the mean value at Month 1. A positive value for change is an improvement
Mean Change in Conjunctival Staining From Extension Study Baseline to Month 11 monthConjunctival (lissamine green) staining scores was recorded to assess the integrity of the ocular surface. The severity of staining was assessed and quantified using the National Eye Institute/Industry Grading System scoring 6 regions of the conjunctiva using a scale from 0 to 3 (normal-severe) for each region. The scores for the regions of the conjunctiva were added to obtain a total score that ranged from 0 (best) to 18 (worst). The score for each eye of a subject was averaged. The mean change from baseline to month 1 is the difference in the two scores. A negative result indicates improvement.
Mean Change in SANDE Result From Extension Study Baseline to Month 11 monthThe SANDE (Symptom Assessment iN Dry Eye) instrument is a simple 2-item questionnaire, that focuses on the frequency and the severity of dry eye symptoms with each measured along a visual analog scale. SANDE, because of its simplicity, is often used in routine clinical practice. For the core questions, the frequency and severity scores are multiplied together, and the square root is taken to produce an overall SANDE score from 0 (best possible) to 100 (worst possible). The mean change from baseline to month 1 is the difference in the two scores. A negative result indicates improvement.
Mean Change in Corneal Staining From Extension Study Baseline to Month 11 monthCorneal (fluorescein) staining scores was recorded to assess the integrity of the ocular surface. The severity of staining was assessed and quantified using the National Eye Institute/Industry Grading System scoring 5 regions of the cornea using a scale from 0 to 3 (normal-severe) for each region. The scores for the regions of the cornea were added to obtain a total score that ranged from 0 (best) to 15 (worst). The score for each eye of a subject was averaged. The mean change from baseline to month 1 is the difference in the two scores. A negative result indicates improvement.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
TearCare
Subjects will receive one TearCare treatment at the baseline visit TearCare: The TearCare System warms the eyelids to melt the meibum by applying heat to the external surface of the eyelids for 15 minutes. Following completion of the thermal portion of the procedure, the clinician performs manual expression of each of the eyelids.
12
TearCare
Subjects will receive one TearCare treatment at the baseline visit TearCare: The TearCare System warms the eyelids to melt the meibum by applying heat to the external surface of the eyelids for 15 minutes. Following completion of the thermal portion of the procedure, the clinician performs manual expression of each of the eyelids.
24
Total36

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTearCare
Age, Continuous69.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.5
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
12 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
12 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
12 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
12 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants
Tear Break Up Time5.0 seconds
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.1

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 8
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 8
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 8

Outcome results

Primary

Mean Change in Tear Break-Up Time From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1

The TBUT was evaluated by measuring the time to breakup of the tear film following a complete blink when viewed through the slit-lamp using a cobalt blue filter. The TBUT was recorded using a stopwatch for each eye as the average of 3 measurements at each visit. The change in TBUT was The difference between the mean baseline value and the mean Month 1 value. The TBUT for each eye for a subject was averaged resulting in a single TBUT value for each subject (n=12).

Time frame: 1 month

Population: All subjects that had been randomized to TearCare in the initial pilot study (NCT03006978) and consented to participate in the extension study.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
TearCareMean Change in Tear Break-Up Time From Extension Study Baseline to Month 112.4 secondsStandard Deviation 3.3
Secondary

Mean Change in Conjunctival Staining From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1

Conjunctival (lissamine green) staining scores was recorded to assess the integrity of the ocular surface. The severity of staining was assessed and quantified using the National Eye Institute/Industry Grading System scoring 6 regions of the conjunctiva using a scale from 0 to 3 (normal-severe) for each region. The scores for the regions of the conjunctiva were added to obtain a total score that ranged from 0 (best) to 18 (worst). The score for each eye of a subject was averaged. The mean change from baseline to month 1 is the difference in the two scores. A negative result indicates improvement.

Time frame: 1 month

Population: All subjects that had been randomized to TearCare in the initial pilot study (NCT03006978) and consented to participate in the extension study.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
TearCareMean Change in Conjunctival Staining From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1-0.54 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.25
Secondary

Mean Change in Corneal Staining From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1

Corneal (fluorescein) staining scores was recorded to assess the integrity of the ocular surface. The severity of staining was assessed and quantified using the National Eye Institute/Industry Grading System scoring 5 regions of the cornea using a scale from 0 to 3 (normal-severe) for each region. The scores for the regions of the cornea were added to obtain a total score that ranged from 0 (best) to 15 (worst). The score for each eye of a subject was averaged. The mean change from baseline to month 1 is the difference in the two scores. A negative result indicates improvement.

Time frame: 1 month

Population: All subjects that had been randomized to TearCare in the initial pilot study (NCT03006978) and consented to participate in the extension study.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
TearCareMean Change in Corneal Staining From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1-0.17 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.33
Secondary

Mean Change in Meibomian Gland Score From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1

Using a Korb Meibomian Gland Evaluator (TearScience), the meibomian gland assessment was conducted by evaluating the consistency of the secretions that were observed upon expression of meibomian glands in the nasal, central, and temporal regions of the lower eyelids. The central, consecutive 5 glands in each region were evaluated. The instrument was held at the eyelid margin for 10-15 seconds, and the secretions were graded on a 0-3 scale for each gland (0=no expression; 1=toothpaste; 2=cloudy; and 3=clear), with a 0 (worst)-45 (best) score range for each eye. The score for each eye of a subject was averaged. The change from baseline in the Meibomian Gland Score is the difference between the mean baseline value and the mean value at Month 1. A positive value for change is an improvement

Time frame: 1 month

Population: All subjects that had been randomized to TearCare in the initial pilot study (NCT03006978) and consented to participate in the extension study.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
TearCareMean Change in Meibomian Gland Score From Extension Study Baseline to Month 119.5 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.4
Secondary

Mean Change in OSDI Questionnaire Result From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1.

The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) is a 12-item questionnaire that assesses symptoms of ocular irritation associated with dry eye and the impact of these on vision-related activities. The OSDI score ranges from 0 (best possible) to 100 (worst possible). The change in OSDI questionnaire from baseline to Month 1 is the difference between the scores at the two timepoints. A negative value would indicate improvement and a positive value, a worsening. The reported value is the mean of the change for all subjects.

Time frame: 1 month

Population: All subjects that had been randomized to TearCare in the initial pilot study (NCT03006978) and consented to participate in the extension study.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
TearCareMean Change in OSDI Questionnaire Result From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1.-11.2 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 14.8
Secondary

Mean Change in SANDE Result From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1

The SANDE (Symptom Assessment iN Dry Eye) instrument is a simple 2-item questionnaire, that focuses on the frequency and the severity of dry eye symptoms with each measured along a visual analog scale. SANDE, because of its simplicity, is often used in routine clinical practice. For the core questions, the frequency and severity scores are multiplied together, and the square root is taken to produce an overall SANDE score from 0 (best possible) to 100 (worst possible). The mean change from baseline to month 1 is the difference in the two scores. A negative result indicates improvement.

Time frame: 1 month

Population: All subjects that had been randomized to TearCare in the initial pilot study (NCT03006978) and consented to participate in the extension study.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
TearCareMean Change in SANDE Result From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1-13.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 15.6
Secondary

Mean Change in SPEED II Questionnaire Result From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1

The Standard Patient Evaluation for Eye Dryness II (SPEED II) questionnaire is a well-validated instrument and widely used assessment tool for dry eye indications. The SPEED II questionnaire was used to evaluate the symptoms of study subjects. The SPEED II survey measures the severity (0-4 scale) and frequency (0-3 scale) of DED symptoms. The SPEED score was calculated by adding the total of the frequency and severity scores; a score of greater than or equal to 6 may be an indicator of DED (range 0 \[best\] to 7 \[worst\]). The reported value is the mean of the change for all subjects. A negative result indicates improvement.

Time frame: 1 month

Population: All subjects that had been randomized to TearCare in the initial pilot study (NCT03006978) and consented to participate in the extension study.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
TearCareMean Change in SPEED II Questionnaire Result From Extension Study Baseline to Month 1-2.9 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.7

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026