TearCare Dry Eye Treatment
At Midwest Eye Centers, we provide the most advanced treatments to address your dry eyes, including the TearCare System. Take our Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5) below to see if you may qualify.
TearCare® is a 15-minute in-office procedure used to treat meibomian gland disorders. The sterile single-use flexible eyelid devices gently adhere to the contours of the patient’s eyelids and apply low heat. SmartLidTM technology works in conjunction with the blinking eye to facilitate natural meibum expression as the meibum melts. The TearCare® procedure is usually repeated every two years or every year. After TearCare®, we may prescribe a corticosteroid such as Inveltys or Lotemax SM for use twice per day.
What does TearCare treat?
TearCare System is an FDA-approved treatment for patients with dry eye due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). Meibomian glands line the inside of our upper and lower eyelids and produce the oil layer on our tear film. A blocked or clogged meibomian gland prevents us from secreting this oil. When this crucial lipid layer is missing from our tear film due to a blockage, it results in our tears evaporating faster than normal and causing dry eye symptoms. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) can become progressively worse if left untreated.
What is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?
In most cases of dry eyes, the cause is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). To determine if your dry eye is caused by MGD, our dry eye specialists will evaluate the function of your Meibomian Glands during your exam. If MGD is left untreated, it can cause your glands to atrophy and shrink which may lead to permanent dysfunction. To receive maximum benefit from TearCare, there should be a sufficient number of meibomian glands present. TearCare patients should continue to use therapies such as artificial tears and warm compresses as eye care maintenance after treatment. Just as you would continue to floss and brush your teeth after a dental appointment.
Is TearCare treatment painful?
Patients report that they find TearCare to be comfortable and pain-free. The Meibomian Glands themselves can be restored to proper function by this treatment process. The patient’s eyes can become appropriately moist, relieving the challenging and even painful chronic dry eye condition.
What does it do?
Treatment with TearCare is completed in the same amount of time as a typical office visit. TearCare begins with a small applicator applied to the outer edges of the upper and lower eyelids. Unlike other dry eye treatments, TearCare allows you to keep your eyes open for the duration of the procedure. Through the applicators, consistent, therapeutic heat will be applied to the area, which, along with blinking, will help unclog the glands. In addition, your doctor will express the meibomian glands to help remove blockages which can stimulate oil production, resulting in a healthier tear film and reduction of dry eye symptoms.
Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5)
The DEQ-5 provides a score to measure dry eye severity. A score greater than a 6 would indicate possible dry eye and would warrant additional testing to find out the exact cause. You may have to scroll back down the page after your score is calculated.
