LASIK Surgeons in Washington, DC Discuss Age-Related Aesthetic Trends

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - Apr 24, 2012) - According to the latest statistics from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), approximately 800,000 refractive surgical procedures were performed in 2010. At Eye Doctors of Washington, a center for vision correction, facial aesthetics, and LASIK in Tyson's Corner and Washington, DC, Drs. Thomas Clinch and Paul Kang say this number will continue to grow as the baby boomer generation reaches later stages in life and more patients are suffering from age-related vision loss.

According to Dr. Mary Catherine Fischer, the practice's aesthetic specialist, as one's eyesight deteriorates, the body also begins to exhibit similar signs of the natural wear and tear of daily life, particularly in sensitive areas of skin on the face and neck. She says facial structure starts to appear droopy and less vibrant, a condition that has led many patients to seek cosmetic rejuvenation of the eyelids and face to complement their refractive procedure. She says the growing popularity of aesthetic procedures like BOTOX® Cosmetic and eyelid surgery at her practice has spread to nearly every age group, as different demographics seek to enhance their appearance and their eyesight.

While eyelid surgery can be performed for both cosmetic and functional reasons, Dr. Fischer says a majority of the patients at her practice in their forties and fifties have been taking advantage of the procedure to help combat the signs of aging and reduce the appearance of tired eyes. As the second most popular facial cosmetic surgery performed in 2011 according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), she says eyelid surgery can help alleviate baggy eyelids and tighten the skin around one's eyes for a more refreshed appearance.

Dr. Fischer says most of her patients in their later stages in life are ready to try whatever they need to do in order to keep their skin looking healthy and full of life. Above the age of fifty, she says most of her patients have perhaps already had cosmetic surgery and are looking for dermal fillers such as Restylane® or Juvederm in Washington, DC to treat moderate facial wrinkles and lines.

For her younger patients in their twenties, Dr. Fischer says she has noticed most are looking simply for preventative measures through non-surgical treatments like BOTOX in Washington, DC. Originally used by ophthalmologists to suppress uncontrollable facial muscle and eyelid spasms, BOTOX® Cosmetic has now been adapted by many eye doctors as an aesthetic treatment. Dr. Fischer says eye doctors and oculo-plastic surgeons have a unique knowledge of the fragile skin and muscles surrounding the eyes, equipping them to perform delicate procedures such as dermal fillers and BOTOX® Cosmetic in ways other surgeons cannot.

Because many of the physical signs of aging begin to appear during one's thirties, Dr. Fischer says this stage of life encourages many patients to take a more aggressive stance on their facial appearance. She says many patients are looking to gain a competitive edge in the professional world by considering both BOTOX® Cosmetic and fillers, as well as eyelid surgery for some patients who have particularly noticeable or problematic areas of sagging skin under their eyes.

Dr. Fischer says around half of the patients that come into the Eye Doctors of Washington practice know exactly what they want for their aesthetic procedure, while the other half have narrowed down what features they do not like about themselves and are looking for some professional guidance. She says the consultation with an experienced and qualified practitioner is an essential part of discovery for patients and she encourages anyone considering treatment to research their practice extensively before undergoing a procedure. Dr. Fischer adds that she hopes patients take their decision to have any medical operation seriously and urges them to discuss all options with a dedicated, personable practice.

About Mary Catherine Fischer, MD

Dr. Mary Catherine Fischer earned her medical degree from George Washington University Medical School and completed her ophthalmology residency at the Brooke Army Medical Center, during her 13 years of service in the military. She is a board-certified comprehensive ophthalmologist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Fischer has extensive experience in eyelid plastic surgery as well as aesthetic facial rejuvenation through BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers.

About the Eye Doctors of Washington

With over 40 years of experience performing vision correction procedures such as LASIK and cataract surgery in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, the Eye Doctors of Washington was founded by a group of professors from Georgetown University. All ophthalmologists with the practice are board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and have been fellowship trained in their subspecialty. The Eye Doctors of Washington ophthalmologists and optometrists have all received scientific and medical awards, in addition to serving on numerous scientific advisory boards and academic research teams.

The Eye Doctors of Washington has three locations: 2 Wisconsin Circle Suites 200 and 230 in Chevy Chase, MD, reachable at (301) 215-7100; 1016 16th Street NW Lower Level 100 in Washington, DC, reachable at (202) 659-2050; and 8230 Boone Blvd Suite 125 in Vienna, VA, reachable at (703) 962-7104. It can also be contacted online via the website edow.com or facebook.com/edowdc.