Richard Weiss M.D., Medical Director of Weiss Cosmetic & Laser Vision Procedures, is a board-certified and fellowship trained oculoplastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid and eyebrow surgery, laser wrinkle removal, Botox and rejuvenative injections, laser vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism and NearVision CK for presbyopia (aging eyes). Dr. Weiss is a member of the American Board of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Weiss received his medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia after receiving his undergraduate degree at New York University in Manhattan. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He has taken special fellowship training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Toronto, one of only twenty training positions available in this field yearly in North America.
His most recent research interest and invention involves a device and method for painless transcutaneous injections. Dr. Weiss has recently (2007) completed a study [Reduction of Pain and Anxiety Prior to Botulinum Toxin injections with New Topical Anesthetic Method] (Press Release) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new Botox injection method. This method involves the use of a new invention, the Weiss Comfort Shield (not yet commercially available), that has been proven to decrease or eliminate injection discomfort. Click for video demonstration of Weiss Comfort Shield during Botox procedure.
Other research interests are involved with techniques and inventions to make laser vision correction more safe and predictable. He has presented papers on various aspects of this research at many of the major international refractive surgery meetings.
Dr. Weiss is the co-developer of the rotary epithelial brush method of epithelial removal prior to photo-refractive keratectomy along with inventor Percy Amoils, M.D. Dr. Weiss was the primary investigator in the basic research performed at Beckman Laser Institute showing this method to have advantages over other previously used techniques. This method is now used throughout the world and was mandated for use by surgeons using the VISX laser for the U.S. FDA trials for hyperopia.
Dr. Weiss has worked with laser scientists to determine the correct method of centering and focusing refractive lasers and has invented an advanced rotary device for epithelial removal prior to hyperopic correction that leaves a central area of the epithelium untouched.
Another patented invention (now called the Weiss Vertexometer and available to surgeons internationally) was first presented at the spring 1998 meeting of the American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery, is a device to allow accurate vertex distance measurements from behind the phoropter. Exact and convenient measurement of the vertex distance is necessary for more accurate and predictable visual results from refractive surgery. A portion of the proceeds from this device will be donated to the One World Sight Project (see below) to help cure world blindness.
Constantly striving to bring new and innovative techniques to his practice, Dr. Weiss regularly participates in seminars and workshops both nationally and internationally. He has been a visiting surgical consultant in many areas of the world including Haiti, India, Barbados, and South Africa, Canada and Mexico.
Dr. Weiss is the Chairman and Founder of the Botox, Belphs & LASIK: Strategies for Success with Elective Ophthalmic Procedures conference, a landmark symposium bringing together ophthalmologists, dermatologists, oculoplastic and plastic surgeons for three days of scientific presentations and hands on workshops. He is a Senior Instructor for the American Academy of Ophthalmology providing formal instruction on Botox for blepharospasm, hyperhidrosis, migraine and cosmetic uses.
Dr. Weiss, a musician, was inspired to create the One World Sight Project, Inc. by a song (One Spirit) that he wrote about the plight of the blind in 1988. This project is a non-profit organization that has united international ophthalmology (including technical advisors from the World Health Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness) to form a cooperative venture in which the goal is to cure needless blindness in developing countries.