My Eyes Felt Like Broken Glass Every Day — Until This Doctor Changed Everything

The search for effective treatment options 

When Maria first visited Dr. Lindsay Harris at Assil Gaur Eye Institute, she was suffering from severe eye pain that greatly affected her quality of life. Dr. Harris quickly recognized the complexity of Maria’s case and understood that her causes of dry eye also involved her ongoing lung condition. This was causing systemic problems that required a comprehensive treatment plan.

Maria recalls, "I had a painful condition, and I went to Dr. Harris." Dr. Harris started exploring different treatment options, understanding that Maria’s filamentary keratitis would require specialized care beyond typical dry eye treatments.

Because of Maria’s condition, Dr. Harris advised her to make an appointment with another specialist who has specific experience with her lung condition – a collaborative approach Dr. Harris often uses to ensure patients like Maria get the most complete and appropriate care.

However, when Maria tried to schedule an appointment with the specialist, she encountered significant obstacles. “I tried to see this doctor, but scheduling was challenging, and they were always moving my appointment,” Maria explains. The frustrating delays in getting care meant her painful dry eye symptoms continued without relief.

Innovative therapies that made a difference 

Maria returned to Dr. Harris, who welcomed her back and committed to exploring additional state-of-the-art treatment options. Recognizing that conventional treatments weren’t enough for Maria’s complex case, Dr. Harris developed a multifaceted treatment plan using advanced therapies to address the root causes of her symptoms.

The comprehensive treatment plan included compounded eye drops tailored and ordered specifically for Maria’s unique needs, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drops derived from her own blood to harness her body’s natural healing abilities, and BioTissue stem cell membrane treatment for corneal rejuvenation. 

PRP eye drops are an advanced, biologically based treatment that harnesses the regenerative properties of platelets from the patient’s own blood. Like autologous serum eye drops, PRP drops are even more effective for treating severe ocular surface disorders with significant epithelial defects and inflammation, making them a good choice for Maria’s filamentary keratitis.

Finding relief and regaining daily life 

Although Maria knew that Dr. Harris wouldn’t be able to fully cure her chronic dry eye because of her ongoing lung condition, the care she received has been life-changing. The combination of specialized treatments and Dr. Harris’s persistent dedication to finding solutions has significantly eased her symptoms.

“I feel a lot better and am very happy with the results,” Maria says, reflecting on her treatment experience. The reduction in her eye pain has enabled her to return to daily activities that were once too uncomfortable to enjoy.

What impressed Maria most was Dr. Harris’s dedication to her care, even when traditional referral options didn’t work. “I would definitely recommend Dr. Harris to anyone because she spent time with me and helped me,” she emphasizes.

The value of compassionate, comprehensive care 

Maria’s experience highlights the importance of selecting an eye care provider who understands complex medical issues and is willing to explore innovative treatment options when standard methods are not effective.

“I know Dr. Harris did everything she could, and my eyes have improved,” Maria concludes. Her story inspires others facing complex eye conditions by showing that with the right specialist and persistent care, significant improvement is possible, even in the most difficult cases.

At Assil Gaur Eye Institute, patients like Maria receive more than just medical treatment—they find a healthcare team dedicated to exploring every possible option for relief and improvement, no matter how complex their condition may be.

Why do patients nationwide trust Assil Gaur Eye Institute for complex dry eye conditions? 

Under Dr. Assil’s leadership, the Assil Gaur Eye Institute has assembled a team of top ophthalmology and optometry specialists from across the country who continue AGEI’s tradition of providing patients with the highest quality specialist eye care in the United States. 

Today, the Assil Gaur Eye Institute is nationally recognized for its compassionate, patient-centered care, its commitment to pioneering advances in ophthalmology, and its dedication to supporting the health and well-being of its patients and community. 

Assil Gaur Eye Institute offers numerous cutting-edge dry eye treatments like TearCare, BlephEx®, IPL, PRP eye drops, and amniotic membrane grafts to restore a healthy tear film and protect your cornea. 

We also help manage chronic dry eye associated with LASIK, Sjögren’s syndrome, and other conditions with customized care plans designed to relieve symptoms and improve long-term eye health.

Please call (866) 945-2745 or make an appointment online.

We are conveniently accessible to patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area at locations in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.

Sources:

Cornea Function, Definition & Anatomy 

https://www.healthline.com/health/cornea 

Dry eye disease: when to treat and when to refer

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6202299/#:~:text=2-,Aqueous%20deficiency,non%2DSj%C3%B6gren's%20syndrome%2Drelated

Meibomian gland disease: the role of gland dysfunction in dry eye disease

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685175/