Meet Dr. Deborah Gess Ristvedt
Being a specialist in oculoplastic surgery and treatments made Dr. Deborah Gess Ristvedt a natural fit to lead Kalon Medical Spa, a new offering from Vance Thompson Vision in Alexandria.
Dr. Ristvedt’s skills also extend to cataract surgery and glaucoma treatment but, in the case of Kalon, she’ll focus on the area around the eye instead of on the eye itself. For those unfamiliar, that’s what oculoplastics is: treating the area around the eye — most often the eyelids — to improve vision and overall appearance. Oculoplastic and laser facial treatments go hand-in-hand with the vision correction procedures offered by Vance Thompson Vision.
Dr. Ristvedt has been honing her oculoplastic skill for several years. “Oculoplastics and laser facial treatments is an amazing, growing field in terms of new offerings and technology. I’m excited to be a part of it and truly look forward to being able to share the excitement with patients in Alexandria,” she said.
Since opening earlier this year, Kalon-Alexandria has experienced a strong reception from the community.
“We knew from talking with our Vance Thompson Vision patients that Kalon would be well received, but we didn’t realize how well!”
“We knew from talking with our Vance Thompson Vision patients that Kalon would be well received, but we didn’t realize how well!” Dr. Ristvedt said. “Our schedule is filling faster than we could have imagined. It’s been a very encouraging start.”
A third-generation, board-certified eye surgeon, Dr. Ristvedt’s Alexandria roots run deep. She grew up knowing she’d follow in the footsteps of her dad, Timothy Gess, and grandfather, Lowell Gess, both ophthalmologists who continue to serve the area. Her desire to assist those less fortunate is also a family affair — she, her father, grandfather, and husband are all actively involved in Central Global Vision Fund, a charitable organization the family established to provide eye care in underdeveloped countries.
Debby resides in Alexandria with her husband and their three children.
