Single TearCare® Treatment Improved Functional Visual Outcomes as well as Signs and Symptoms of Patients with Dry Eye Disease in Investigator-Initiated Trial

Rhea-AI Summary

Sight Sciences (Nasdaq: SGHT) announced the publication of a new study in Clinical Ophthalmology, demonstrating the efficacy of TearCare treatment for dry eye disease (DED). The study, titled 'Impact of TearCare on Reading Speed in Patients with Dry Eye Disease,' revealed significant improvements in various metrics:

- 52% of participants showed clinically significant improvement in reading speed
- Statistically significant improvements in IReST and MNREAD scores
- Significant enhancements in OSDI and NEI-VFQ-25 scores, measuring symptoms and vision-related quality of life
- Significant improvements in all DED sign metrics

The prospective single-center study suggests that a single TearCare treatment can improve vision-related quality of life and reading speeds in patients with meibomian gland disease associated DED. The findings indicate that this interventional approach should be considered to reduce the disease burden of MGD associated DED.

Positive

• 52% of participants showed clinically significant improvement in reading speed after TearCare therapy
• Statistically significant improvements in IReST and MNREAD scores (p=0.012 and p=0.028)
• Significant enhancements in OSDI and NEI-VFQ-25 scores, measuring symptoms and vision-related quality of life (p<0.001)
• Significant improvements in all DED sign metrics (p<0.001)

Negative

• None.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

This study presents significant findings on the efficacy of TearCare for treating dry eye disease (DED), particularly its impact on functional visual outcomes. The research demonstrates:

• 52% of participants showed clinically significant improvement in reading speed
• Statistically significant improvements in reading tests (IReST and MNREAD)
• Significant enhancements in quality of life measures (OSDI and NEI-VFQ-25 scores)
• Improvements in all DED sign metrics

These results suggest that TearCare could be a valuable interventional treatment for MGD-associated DED, potentially addressing both symptoms and underlying causes. The study's focus on functional outcomes, particularly reading speed, is noteworthy as it directly relates to patients' daily quality of life.

For Sight Sciences (SGHT), this peer-reviewed publication in a reputable journal adds credibility to their TearCare product. It could drive increased adoption among ophthalmologists and optometrists, potentially boosting sales and market share in the competitive dry eye treatment space.

Financial Analyst

This study's publication is a positive development for Sight Sciences (SGHT), potentially impacting its market position and financial outlook:

• Increased product credibility: Peer-reviewed evidence supporting TearCare's efficacy could drive higher adoption rates among eye care professionals.
• Market expansion: The focus on functional outcomes like reading speed broadens TearCare's appeal, potentially expanding its addressable market.
• Competitive advantage: Demonstrating improvements in quality of life metrics differentiates TearCare from other dry eye treatments.
• Potential revenue growth: Higher adoption rates could lead to increased sales of TearCare systems and disposables.

However, investors should note that SGHT is a small-cap company ($290.8M market cap) in a competitive field. While this study is promising, it's important to consider how it translates to commercial success and impacts the company's financial performance in upcoming quarters.

The study found improvements in reading speed, vision-related quality of life, and suggested potential benefits of an interventional approach for patients with dry eye disease

MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sight Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGHT) (“Sight Sciences,” or the “Company”), an eyecare technology company focused on developing and commercializing innovative, interventional technologies that elevate the standard of care, announced today that a new study titled, Impact of TearCare on Reading Speed in Patients with Dry Eye Disease, has been published in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Ophthalmology.

Key study findings reported in the study manuscript include:

• 52% of participants (N = 32) had a clinically significant improvement in reading speed after therapy with TearCare, defined as a greater than 10 words per minute increase in their International Reading Speed Texts (“IReST”) score. Improvements on the IReST and the Minnesota Low Vision Reading Test (“MNREAD”) reached statistical significance (p=0.012 and p=0.028, respectively).
  
• Ocular Surface Disease Index (“OSDI”) scores and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (“NEI-VFQ-25”) scores which measure symptoms and vision-related quality of life were both significantly improved after TearCare treatment (both p<0.001).
  
• Significant improvements in all dry eye disease (“DED”) sign metrics (p<.0.001), including tear break-up time, meibomian gland secretion score, and corneal fluorescein staining.
  

“A large portion of the patients I see in my practice experience significant issues from their dry eye disease. The disease can impact their quality of life and when it goes untreated patients can have reduced visual function,” said Preeya K. Gupta, MD, senior author and Director of Triangle Eye Consultants. “We are very pleased that this study demonstrated how a single in-office intervention with TearCare addressed the visual dysfunction associated with dry eye disease.”

This prospective single-center study evaluated the impact of TearCare treatment on clinical, vision-related quality of life, and functional visual outcome metrics in patients with meibomian gland disease (“MGD”) associated DED. The findings suggest patients who underwent a TearCare treatment exhibited improvements in vision-related quality of life and improved reading speeds after a single treatment. The study suggests that this interventional dry eye treatment should be considered and utilized to reduce the disease burden of MGD associated DED.

Authors and affiliations:
Yilin Feng MD¹, Nandini Venkateswaran MD¹, Amanda Steele OD², Eric D Rosenberg DO, MScEng³, Preeya K. Gupta MD^2,4

1. Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
2. Triangle Eye Consultants, Raleigh, NC, USA
3. Department of Ophthalmology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
4. Department of Ophthalmology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA

Paper Reference:
Feng Y, Venkateswaran N, Steele A, Rosenberg ED, Gupta PK. Impact of TearCare on Reading Speed in Patients with Dry Eye Disease. Clin Ophthalmol. 2024;18:2873-2878

About Sight Sciences

Sight Sciences is an eyecare technology company focused on developing and commercializing innovative and interventional solutions intended to transform care and improve patients’ lives. Using minimally invasive or non-invasive approaches to target the underlying causes of the world’s most prevalent eye diseases, Sight Sciences seeks to create more effective treatment paradigms that enhance patient care and supplant conventional outdated approaches. Glaucoma is the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness, and the Company’s OMNI^® Surgical System is an implant-free glaucoma surgery technology (i) indicated in the United States to reduce intraocular pressure in adult patients with primary open-angle glaucoma; and (ii) CE-marked for the catheterization and transluminal viscodilation of Schlemm’s canal and cutting of the trabecular meshwork to reduce intraocular pressure in adult patients with open-angle glaucoma. The SION^® Surgical Instrument is a bladeless, manually operated device used in ophthalmic surgical procedures to excise trabecular meshwork. The Company’s TearCare^® System is 510(k) cleared in the United States for the application of localized heat therapy in adult patients with evaporative dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction (“MGD”), when used in conjunction with manual expression of the meibomian glands, enabling clearance of gland obstructions by physicians to address the leading cause of dry eye disease. Visit www.sightsciences.com for more information.

Sight Sciences, the Sight Sciences logo, and TearCare are trademarks of Sight Sciences registered in the United States. OMNI and SION are trademarks of Sight Sciences registered in the United States, European Union and other territories.

© 2024 Sight Sciences. All rights reserved.

Media contact:
pr@SightSciences.com

Investor contact:
Philip Taylor
Gilmartin Group
415.937.5406
Investor.Relations@Sightsciences.com

FAQ

What were the key findings of the TearCare study for dry eye disease published in Clinical Ophthalmology?

The study found that 52% of participants had clinically significant improvement in reading speed, statistically significant improvements in IReST and MNREAD scores, significant enhancements in OSDI and NEI-VFQ-25 scores for symptoms and vision-related quality of life, and significant improvements in all dry eye disease sign metrics after a single TearCare treatment.

How did the TearCare treatment affect reading speed in patients with dry eye disease (SGHT)?

The study showed that 52% of participants had a clinically significant improvement in reading speed after TearCare therapy, defined as a greater than 10 words per minute increase in their International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) score. Improvements on the IReST and the Minnesota Low Vision Reading Test (MNREAD) reached statistical significance.

What impact did TearCare have on vision-related quality of life for dry eye disease patients (SGHT)?

The study reported significant improvements in Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEI-VFQ-25) scores, which measure symptoms and vision-related quality of life. Both scores were significantly improved after TearCare treatment (p<0.001).

What dry eye disease sign metrics improved after TearCare treatment in the 2024 study (SGHT)?

The study found significant improvements (p<0.001) in all dry eye disease sign metrics, including tear break-up time, meibomian gland secretion score, and corneal fluorescein staining after a single TearCare treatment.