Lucy’s Trip from Australia to Beverly Hills for Conjunctival Nevi Removal: A Worthwhile Journey

Are eye freckles dangerous? 

Much like a birthmark or freckle on the skin, an eye freckle is a buildup of melanin pigment and is typically harmless. However, it is important to have them monitored by your ophthalmologist or eye doctor because, in some rare instances, it can progress to choroidal melanoma or a malignant melanoma — forms of eye cancer.

It is critically important to rule out ocular melanoma, a rare but severe type of cancer that develops in the eye's melanocytes. If there is suspicion of cancer, the nevus is surgically removed and then biopsied. Fortunately, this was not an issue for Lucy, but she urgently wanted the eye freckles gone.

Unable to find a doctor to remove her eye freckle in Australia, Lucy heads to Turkey 

After unsuccessfully finding an ophthalmologist in her hometown of Melbourne who could remove her eye freckles, a friend recommended the Veni Vidi Eye Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. They stated they could remove her eye nevus at a relatively inexpensive price.

So, Lucy made the almost 19-hour flight from Australia, and her surgery was scheduled.

“When I went to Turkey, my eye freckles were just smaller specks,” says Lucy, 37, who works in child protection. “After my surgery, the freckles became a lot larger and made me even more self-conscious. It was terrible.”

Back in Australia, Lucy discovers the Assil Gaur Eye Institute in Beverly Hills 

After returning home Lucy researched top-notch ophthalmologists and was prepared to travel anywhere to feel comfortable looking at her eyes again. Thanks to the magic of the internet, she came across the Assil Guar Eye Institute in Beverly Hills. There she read glowing patient reviews and saw videos of patients who had the same procedure she wanted with fabulous results.

She immediately made an appointment to see Dr. Assil and booked a flight to Los Angeles. During her initial appointment, an eye examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging technology allowed Dr. Assil to examine her choroidal nevi and overall eye health more closely.

“During the eye exam he told me my freckles were now on my corneas,” she says. “Dr. Assil explained that when a conjunctival freckle extends to and involves the cornea, meticulous removal is important to avoid future dry eye symptoms.”

“Dr. Assil took the time to explain everything to me and what was going to be involved with the procedure,” Lucy says. “I told him I was nervous, and he then assured me everything would be okay.”

Her eye freckle surgery is a smashing success

Dr. Assil performs cosmetic nevus removal probably more than any other ophthalmologist in the country,” says Lucy. “He explained that he uses a mild thermal brushing technique that painlessly extracts the pigment from my eyes. The procedure was really quick, there was never any eye pain, and I had no side effects at all.”

After the brief surgery, Lucy traveled to Dr. Assil’s office from her temporary West Hollywood apartment for follow-up visits every other day for a week before jetting back home, no longer worried about getting curious looks from anyone who made eye contact with her or being disappointed by looking in her own eyes. “I was beyond thrilled,” states Lucy.

Why trust Assil Gaur Eye Institute for Nevus Removal Surgery 

Dr. Kerry Assil has over 30 years of experience and is one of the most experienced LASIK, cataract, and nevus removal surgeons in the United States. The Assil Guar Eye Institute has a team of top ophthalmologists and optometrists offering the highest-quality eye care.

In addition to eye freckle removal, LASIK, and cataract surgery, AGEI is nationally recognized for its eye care and treatment options for a full range of conditions, including vision correction with LASIK and PRK laser eye surgery, refractive lens exchange (RLE), Intraocular lens (IOLs), premium cataract surgery, glaucoma, retinal detachment (and other vision loss retinal conditions like macular degeneration), uveal melanoma, cornea conditions, floaters and flashes, and other vision preserving procedures.

Today, AGEI is nationally recognized for its compassionate, patient-centric care, commitment to pioneering advances in ophthalmology, and dedication to supporting its patients' and the community's health and well-being. Please call (866) 945-2745 or make an appointment online.