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TearCare® for Dry Eye Relief

A Smart, Personalized Approach to Treating Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

If your eyes often feel dry, itchy, or watery—even when you’re using drops—there’s a good chance that your oil glands aren’t functioning the way they should. This condition, called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), is the leading cause of dry eye.

TearCare® is an advanced treatment designed to address the problem at its source—gently unblocking these glands to restore healthy tear film and long-lasting comfort. If warm compresses and artificial tears aren’t doing the trick, TearCare may be the solution you’ve been waiting for.

What Is TearCare?

TearCare is a heat- and blink-activated system that delivers therapeutic warmth directly to your eyelids to melt thickened oils and unclog the meibomian glands. Unlike standard compresses, TearCare uses a smart, wearable device that keeps a constant temperature while allowing you to blink naturally—an important part of the treatment.

After the warming cycle, your eye doctor will manually express the glands to ensure all blocked oils are released. The result? Clearer glands, more stable tears, and much-needed dry eye relief.

How Does TearCare Work?

The TearCare system is made up of two key parts:

  1. SmartLid™ devices: Flexible, wearable eyelid devices that deliver targeted heat at a therapeutic temperature for 15 minutes. You can keep your eyes open and blink normally during this time.
  2. Manual expression: After warming, your doctor will use a gentle tool to express the melted oils from your meibomian glands, helping restore their function.

This one-two punch of heat + expression is what sets TearCare apart—it’s not just loosening the blockages, it’s actively clearing them out.

Why Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) a Problem?

Your meibomian glands produce the essential oils (lipids) that help your tears stay on the surface of your eye. When these glands become clogged or sluggish:

  • Your tears evaporate too quickly
  • The surface of your eyes becomes irritated
  • You may experience burning, watering, light sensitivity, and blurry vision

MGD is a chronic and progressive condition—meaning it gets worse over time if left untreated. TearCare helps intervene early, improving comfort and preventing further damage.

Benefits of TearCare

TearCare is more than just a warm compress—it’s a personalized treatment backed by science and comfort. Patients often experience:

  • Noticeable improvement in dry eye symptoms
  • Enhanced tear film stability and less evaporation
  • Reduced dependence on artificial tears
  • Comfortable treatment with no downtime
  • Long-lasting results with just a few in-office sessions

Because TearCare allows your eyes to blink normally during treatment, it mimics natural function better than other heat therapies.

What to Expect During Treatment

TearCare treatments are performed right in our office and take less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Here’s how it works:

  1. Evaluation: We’ll examine your eyes and glands to confirm that TearCare is the right treatment for your type of dry eye.
  2. Setup: The SmartLid devices are gently applied to your upper and lower eyelids. You’ll relax comfortably while the warming cycle runs for about 15 minutes.
  3. Expression: Once the oils have been softened, we’ll use a sterile tool to express the meibomian glands and remove blockages.
  4. Post-care: There’s no recovery time—you can return to your day immediately.

Many patients feel relief after just one session, though a series of treatments may be recommended based on your eye health.

Who Is a Good Candidate for TearCare?

You may benefit from TearCare if:

  • You’ve been diagnosed with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
  • You suffer from chronic dry eye symptoms despite using drops or compresses
  • Your glands show signs of blockage or thickened secretions
  • You want a non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical solution with lasting effects

TearCare is suitable for most adults and can be customized to fit your eye health needs.

TearCare vs. Other Dry Eye Treatments

While traditional warm compresses or eye drops offer temporary relief, TearCare delivers therapeutic heat that’s precisely controlled—and paired with professional gland clearing. Here’s how it compares:

Treatment
Addresses Root Cause?
Customizable?
In-Office or At-Home?
Results

TearCare

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

In-Office

Long-lasting

Warm Compresses

❌ Surface level only

❌ No

At-Home

Short-term

Eye Drops

❌ Symptom only

✅ Limited

At-Home

Temporary

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Most patients find TearCare very comfortable. You may feel a gentle warming sensation, and the gland expression is done carefully to avoid discomfort.

Each session lasts about 25–30 minutes, including setup and gland expression.

Many patients notice improvement after the first treatment. For optimal relief, we may recommend a series of sessions.

TearCare is a specialty procedure that may not be covered by insurance. We’re happy to discuss cost and financing options with you at your visit.

Find Real Relief with TearCare

Tired of battling dry eye day after day? TearCare offers a breakthrough way to clear blocked glands and restore your natural tear film—without surgery or medication.Contact us today to schedule a dry eye evaluation and find out if TearCare is the right next step for your eye health.

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