Dry Eye
Renee’s Dry Eye Journey: From Sand-in-Eye Agony to Complete Relief thanks to Dr. Harris
For months, Renee Cunning’s days were filled with constant irritation. Her eyes felt dry, itchy, and swollen, but it was the persistent grittiness that made every day difficult. “If you’ve ever experienced it, you’ll know how terrible it is,” says Renee. “It’s this constant underlying discomfort, almost like you always have sand in your eye.”
The persistent symptoms began to affect more than just her vision. “It negatively impacted my quality of life,” notes Renee, “because this feeling of irritation is always there. It’s not good for my overall attitude.” Simple pleasures, like reading or spending time outdoors, became sources of frustration rather than joy.
A frustrating wrong diagnosis
Driven to find answers, Renee heeded the well-meaning advice of family and friends, who believed her symptoms were caused by allergies. “Everyone thought it was allergies, so I visited an allergist who prescribed allergy shots.” What followed were months of treatments that proved to be both costly and completely ineffective.
“It was so frustrating,” says Renee, reflecting on that tough period. “I spent time and money trying to treat something I didn’t have. It disrupted my life and, in the end, didn’t improve my eyes at all.” Later, another allergy specialist confirmed what Renee had begun to suspect — she wasn’t allergic to almost anything.
Finding the proper care at AGEI
Renee’s connection to Assil Gaur Eye Institute wasn’t new. Besides her yearly eye exams with Dr. Lindsay Harris, Renee’s family has also been patients at Assil Eye Institute. During one of her annual checkups with Dr. Lindsay Harris, Renee mentioned the persistent grittiness that had been bothering her.
I had a great experience with Dr. Harris. She was committed to my health and actively involved in investigating the issue and guiding me through treatment options.
Dr. Harris’s thorough examination revealed the true source of Renee’s discomfort, leading to a comprehensive treatment plan that would finally address her underlying condition… dry eye syndrome.
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A customized dry eye treatment approach for Renee
After careful evaluation, Dr. Harris recommended a dual approach: BlephEx treatments combined with autologous serum eye drops (ASEDs).
The BlephEx procedure uses a patented, medical-grade micro-sponge that gently removes bacterial biofilm and debris from the eyelid margins, similar to a deep cleaning for the eyelids. This in-office treatment takes only six to eight minutes and helps remove the bacterial buildup that causes chronic eyelid inflammation and dry eye symptoms.
Meanwhile, ASEDs are custom-made eye drops derived from a patient’s blood serum. This state-of-the-art treatment offers natural growth factors and nutrients that artificial tears cannot match.
“I like the idea of using your own body to help heal itself,” says Renee of the ASED treatment. “And Dr. Harris has been fantastic. She’s kind, patient, and dedicated to helping me overcome this eye discomfort.”
Renee’s life-changing results
The transformation in Renee’s daily life has been remarkable. “There’s no irritation, dryness, itchiness, or grittiness. The pain is gone. The daily annoyance is gone,” Renee says, her relief evident in every word.
The chronic discomfort that once overshadowed her days has been replaced by clarity—and comfortable vision. Activities are now enjoyable again, and the constant distraction of eye irritation no longer affects her mood or productivity.
I’ve developed a lot of trust in Dr. Harris. Of course, I have to stay on top of my treatments, but I can’t speak highly enough of Dr. Harris and AGEI overall.
Renee’s story shows how accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment can restore not just vision but also quality of life. At Assil Gaur Eye Institute, patients like Renee encounter more than just medical expertise—they find a team truly committed to their well-being and dedicated to helping them see clearly again.
Why choose Assil Gaur Eye Institute for your dry eye care?
At Assil Gaur Eye Institute (AGEI) in Los Angeles, our team of renowned ophthalmologists and optometrists provides expert, compassionate care for patients with dry eye disease and related eye conditions. If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry eye, like a burning sensation, watery eyes, or contact lens discomfort, our dry eye specialists can use advanced diagnostics to identify the root cause — whether it’s reduced tear production, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), or ocular surface inflammation.
Our advanced dry eye center offers innovative treatments like TearCare, BlephEx®, punctal plugs, warm compress therapy, IPL, and autologous serum eye drops (ASEDs) to help restore a healthy tear film and safeguard your cornea. We also provide personalized care plans to manage chronic dry eye related to LASIK, Sjögren’s syndrome, or antihistamine use, aiming to ease symptoms and support long-term eye health.
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Call now or book your appointment online.
Frequently asked questions about treating dry eye
What is BlephEx, and how does it help with chronic eye irritation?
BlephEx is an in-office procedure that gently removes debris, bacteria, and biofilm from the eyelid margins to decrease inflammation and irritation. It is useful for chronic conditions like blepharitis and dry eye, which are often linked to Demodex mites or meibomian gland dysfunction.
What are ASEDs (autologous serum eye drops), and why are they more effective than regular eye drops?
ASEDs are produced from your blood serum and contain growth factors and nutrients that closely resemble natural tears. They serve as an excellent treatment for dry eyes because they promote healing and reduce inflammation more effectively than over-the-counter lubricating drops, especially in cases of severe or treatment-resistant dry eye.
How can I tell if my eye symptoms are due to allergies or something else?
Allergies and dry eyes can present with very similar symptoms. They often go hand in hand. Dry eyes are often more easily affected by allergens.
Allergy-related eye symptoms often include itching, redness, and watery discharge, usually occurring with seasonal patterns or environmental triggers. If symptoms continue despite allergy treatment or include burning, a foreign body sensation, or blurred vision, other causes such as dry eye or blepharitis might be involved.
How long does it take for these dry treatments to work, and will I need ongoing care?
Some patients notice symptom relief within days to weeks, but full benefits from treatments like BlephEx or ASEDs can take a few months. Dry eye is usually a long-term condition, so ongoing maintenance and periodic care are often necessary to manage flare-ups and keep comfortable.
