Home > Patient Stories > New Yorker Travels 2,459 miles for Dr. Assil’s World-Class Eye Care: “I Finally Found a Solution!”

Pamela Rivera Patient Story

New Yorker Travels 2,459 miles for Dr. Assil’s World-Class Eye Care: “I Finally Found a Solution!”

It is becoming increasingly common for patients to travel vast distances to receive the best eye care at Assil Gaur Eye Institute. People from locations as far away as China, the United Kingdom, and Australia have sought the stellar ophthalmology of Dr. Kerry Assil and his award-winning team.

So, it wasn’t really a stretch when Pamela Rivera traveled a measly 2,459 miles from her home in New York to Beverly Hills to have a nevus removed at the doctor’s office.

“I’m a person that likes to solve problems,” says Pamela, speaking of her online research that revealed the website of the best ophthalmologists. “I finally found a solution with Dr. Assil, and I did it.”

What is a nevus or eye freckle?

Also known as an eye freckle, a conjunctival nevus, or choroidal nevus (depending on its location), is a pigmented spot that forms on the eye, similar to freckles on the skin. While eye freckles are typically harmless and do not affect vision, it’s essential to monitor them because, in rare cases, they can develop into melanoma, a type of eye cancer.

What causes eye freckles?

  • Genetics: Some people are more prone to developing eye freckles due to inherited traits.
  • Sun exposure: UV radiation can increase melanin production, potentially leading to freckles on the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye), especially in the elderly.
  • Age: Freckles may develop over time and become more noticeable as people get older.

How did Pamela “get” her eye freckle?

Pamela’s eye freckle was a genetic variety. Until five years ago, however, it was so small she did not pay much attention to it. However, as it grew larger, it caught Pamela’s attention, and she began to feel self-conscious.

“I definitely saw Dr. Assil for cosmetic reasons,” says Pamela, who works as a therapist helping autistic children for her career.

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Removing the eye freckle

Removing a cosmetic nevus is straightforward. After applying numbing eye drops, Dr. Assil uses a mild thermal brushing technique to remove pigment from the conjunctival surface, the thin, transparent membrane that protects the eye.

The surgery was over in the wink of an eye, perhaps 10 minutes.

“I was surprised and amazed at how simple the process was,” says Pamela. “I would certainly recommend Dr. Assil to anyone with eye problems. And kudos to his support team, who handled my surgery with aplomb and confidence.”

Why trust AGEI for your conjunctival nevus removal?

Dr. Assil has revolutionized the landscape of eye freckle removal with his proprietary, quick surgical method. Both he and his partner, Dr. Gaur, have assembled a team of top ophthalmology specialists from across the country, continuing AGEI’s tradition of offering patients the highest-quality specialist eye care in the United States. In keeping with AGEI’s founding healthcare principles, our doctors have kept their clinics comfortable and familiar, much like family-run medical practices used to be.

Today, AGEI is nationally recognized for its compassionate, patient-centric treatment plans, commitment to pioneering advances in eye health, and dedication to supporting the health of its patients and community with a caring bedside manner.

State-of-the-art treatment options are available for all ocular conditions, including glaucoma, ‌cataracts, ocular melanoma, macular disease, floaters, dry eye, and diabetic eye conditions.

Our ophthalmologists and eye doctors are nationally recognized for their expertise in premium cataract surgery, LASIK laser eye surgery, retinal diseases, dry eye syndrome, and refractive lens exchange (RLE), among other specialties. 

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We are conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.