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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
APRIL 2022
A FAMILY OF APRIL FOOLS
April is National Humor Month, and as one of six siblings growing up, we were lucky to have that humor in our lives; otherwise, we probably would have been at each other’s throats. I honestly believe that laughter is essential to good family relationships, and over the years, we’ve collected plenty of stories to chuckle about. In the spirit of good humor, I’m sharing what April fools we all are. Let’s get my humiliation out of the way first. When I was in high school, I thought it would be interesting to try a different hairstyle. Unfortunately, I decided on the Afro. Of course, you can see this coming, but this was a really bad idea. But I only realized how insanely stupid it was after I’d already done it. To this day, my siblings still laugh thinking back at how I looked. There is mercy out there since there are no photos of this “great look.” Not long after that, my hairline started receding, so my brothers and sisters still have a lot of fun blaming the Afro and saying my hair loss is the universe’s way of punishing me. Speaking of haircuts, I remember when my older sister got a particularly memorable one. At the time, the ice skater Dorothy Hamill was extremely popular, and so was her short haircut. My sister had always had long brown hair, but
she decided to chop it off to emulate Hamill’s style. She came home with the new short wedge cut, already feeling a bit vulnerable, only for my brother to yell out, “Get the bolts!” It was a reference to Frankenstein — he was saying that all she needed were the two bolts on the side of her neck to resemble him perfectly. It certainly wasn’t what my sister wanted to hear, but we still laugh about it to this day. Meanwhile, one of other my brothers was notorious for loving his warm bed and hating to get dressed in cold clothes. So, he figured out a plan. His bed was pressed against the floorboard radiator, which kept that side of the bed nice and toasty. So he got the idea to shove all of his clothes down onto the baseboard radiator at night to make them warm in the morning. As a result, he always came downstairs with the massively wrinkled clothes, with steam coming off them! He couldn’t have cared less how he looked — he just wanted to be warm. He wasn’t the only eccentric one in the family. When my younger sister was in elementary school, she decided she wanted to be a horse. Yes, a horse. She’d put a towel in her shorts to represent a tail and galloped around the backyard. It was mildly concerning, but she was a kid. All
One last story: We had a dog named Crosby who loved us to death. One year, we were on vacation in Maine and went out fishing on Long Lake. Crosby was barking at us on the shoreline, but we waved goodbye and thought nothing of it. Well, once we were out of sight, he decided he couldn’t bear being without us — he jumped in the water and swam half a mile down the lake to find us. Mercifully, some people pulled him into their boat. They eventually approached us and asked, “Is this your dog?” Crosby was wagging his tail, excited to see us as we looked on in shock. We still laugh that our crazy dog would rather have died than be separated from us. In my opinion, laughter is good medicine. It releases endorphins, reduces stress, and strengthens your immune system. Whenever I can, I try and inject some humor into my interactions with my patients. I am hopeful that it makes for more relaxing consultations and treatments. It is a delight to enjoy laughter with my staff as well, and it makes the day in the office feel more like being at home. But there is nothing else like laughing with your family. It tightens your bond, and I think it has helped bring us all together during difficult times. Whenever we can, we take the opportunity to reminisce and laugh about childhood memories.
that practice came in handy one day at school when there was
Thankfully, my kids and my wife both feel the same way. I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who can see the humor in things — whether it’s a bad hairstyle or a near‑drowning.
a four-legged race as part of our school’s fitness challenge. She was the only girl to sign up, and all of the boys were laughing at her, declaring how badly she’d lose. Of course, she blew the hooves off all of them. From then on, they never gave her any grief.
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6 Ways to Drink More Water Without Thinking About It RAISE A GLASS — OR SEVERAL
Staying hydrated is one of the pillars of healthy living. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, women should drink 11.5 cups (92 ounces) of water a day, and men should drink 15.5 cups (124 ounces) a day. But, if we’re being honest, water can be pretty boring to drink — there are things we’d rather be drinking, and busy schedules make it difficult. Here are some ways to work more water into your daily routine to promote optimal health.
you’ll still have lots of flavor while boosting your hydration.
DRINK A FULL GLASS WITH MEDICINES. Many of us get in the habit of only taking a large sip of water with pills. However, whether you take a supplement, medication, or vitamin, wash it down with a full glass of water. CARRYAROUND A LARGE WATER BOTTLE. Taking your water with you in a large bottle reminds you to keep sipping wherever you go. Every chance you get, fill it up. The bottomless water bottle is a perfect way to work more water into your day. As a bonus, you can use a measured bottle to see how much you’ve actually drank throughout the day! INFUSE YOUR WATER. Try giving your H2O an extra kick. Add berries, lemon, lime, or mint to your water to give it some flavor and help make it more enticing to drink!
BEGIN AND END YOUR DAYWITH WATER. Make it a routine to drink a large glass of water upon waking up and before going to bed. “Bookending” your day like this ensures that your body is hydrated for both the day and night ahead.
DRINK A CUP OF WATER WITH EACH CUP OF COFFEE. Many of us are used to drinking more than one cup of coffee throughout the day. If you drink a glass of water with each cup of coffee, you’re sure to stay hydrated. Keep in mind that while coffee is a liquid and contains water, it’s not very thirst-quenching. ICE IS YOUR FRIEND. Each time you pour a drink or make a smoothie, use lots of ice! Your taste buds will hardly notice the difference, and
Water is important for a healthy body and mind, so follow these tips and stay hydrated!
Barbara Shares Her Eye Plastic Associates Story When Barbara’s upper eyelids were sagging, it significantly affected her peripheral vision. Eventually, they’d droop so much that she could barely keep them open to read a book. “If I looked straight ahead, I couldn’t see the ceiling anymore,” she says. That’s when she knew it was time to get help. expectations. “I can now see like I used to see,” she says. “Plus, in the past, I looked tired all the time. Now I feel and look more awake, alert, and younger. That wasn’t my goal, but it was a nice side benefit.” SEEING IS BELIEVING
Barbara raised her family in Syracuse, New York, before moving with her husband to Virginia three years ago. It allows her to be closer to her daughter, and she loves the warmer weather and scenic views. “I absolutely love it here. It’s exactly what I was looking for,” she says. She is now retired, and in her spare time, she loves to read, cook, and make Diamond Dotz paintings — all activities that are easier now with her newly improved vision. One of Barbara’s favorite things about her experience at Eye Plastic Associates was the staff. “They are really exceptional,” she says. “Especially Dawn, the surgical scheduler. She really cares about and encourages you, and she’s thorough in everything she does.” But of course, the man operating on her was the biggest draw of all. “He’s very skilled and knowledgeable, and he makes you feel at ease,” she says. “I’ve already told people I know, ‘If you ever need anything, Dr. Scott is the guy to see!’”
Barbara was referred to Dr. Scott by her optometrist, who informed her that her insurance would cover a blepharoplasty for medical reasons. Even though she lives over an hour away in Woodstock, Dr. Scott came highly recommended, so she scheduled an appointment. “He went step by step and told me everything that was going to happen,” she remembers. “He answered every question I had and even told me some things I didn’t know I needed to know. He made me feel very comfortable, so I didn’t have any qualms going into the surgery.” Afterward, Barbara said the recovery was “so easy.” She adds, “I never needed pain pills, and I was very pleased. If I ever have to have any work done again, I wouldn’t go see anybody else.” The surgery results have exceeded her
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More Than a Blink of an Eye MYOKYMIA AND BLEPHAROSPASM
Has your eyelid ever started involuntarily twitching? It happens to most of us from time to time and usually passes quickly. But persistent twitching around the eyelids can quickly become bothersome or even dangerous. When it occurs, it’s typically due to one of three conditions: benign myokymia, blepharospasm, or hemifacial spasm. Benign eyelid myokymia most commonly affects the lower lid on one side of the face. Myokymia can last for hours, days, or a few weeks. Though it’s rare, some cases can even last years. Importantly, myokymia does not involve twitching on another area of the face — if you’re experiencing twitching elsewhere, schedule a visit with your internist or neurologist. Myokymia can result from fatigue, lack of sleep, overexertion, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, or stress. In many cases, cutting down on the likely stressors will help improve symptoms. If your case lasts for several weeks and proves bothersome, isolated Botox injection(s) is an option. When it wears off in three months, the condition is usually resolved.
aberrant signals cause twitching that is often both frequent and intense — a bit like the sensation you get when your anti-lock brakes kick in. Sometimes, patients cannot keep their eyes open, making it unsafe to drive or engage in other activities. Though blepharospasm has no cure, treatment is available. Injecting Botox into the lateral crows’ feet region and the inner eyelid corners every 3–4 months can help the muscles relax without causing droopiness. Preventing dry eyes and reducing the same stressors that cause myokymia can also help with these symptoms. If involuntary twitching occurs throughout one side of the face (not just the eye), it’s likely due to a nervous system disorder called hemifacial spasm. It typically happens because an artery in the brain pulsates against a cranial nerve called the facial nerve. As with other conditions, Botox can help, and in rare cases, surgery can relieve the spasms. If your eyelid twitching doesn’t resolve itself within a few weeks, visit your doctor to determine what treatment options are available. If necessary, Eye Plastic Associates can administer Botox to reduce twitching and restore your function. Hopefully, you will never need our help with these conditions, but we are happy to help if your eyelid twitching doesn’t resolve spontaneously! Crostini With Ricotta, Peas, and Mint
Blepharospasm is a rarer but more severe cause of eye twitching. It results from a brain misfire that sends too many signals to the nerves around the eyes. These
A referral is the highest compliment our patients can give!
Welcome to our new patients, and thank you for the seven referrals this month! Do you know someone who might need Dr. Scott’s care? Pass this newsletter along to them!
INGREDIENTS • 1 French baguette, sliced • 4 tbsp olive oil, divided • 1 tbsp and 1 tsp salt, divided • 1 lb English peas, fresh or frozen • 2 garlic cloves, smashed • 1 lb fresh ricotta cheese • Fresh mint leaves, sliced • Sea salt, to taste • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. On a large baking sheet, place baguette slices. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with 1 tbsp of salt. Bake for about 7 minutes, but do not brown. 3. In a medium pot, add water and 1 tsp salt, then bring to a boil. Add peas and cook for 3 minutes. Drain peas and place them in ice bath. Cool for several minutes before draining. 4. In a medium skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté drained peas with garlic until cooked through. The peas should still be firm, not mushy. 5. On a large platter, layer crostini with ricotta, peas, and a few slices of fresh mint. 6. Season each crostini with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
LAUGH UNTIL YOUR BELLY HURTS AND THEN LAUGH JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE.
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
Inside This Issue
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Laughter Is the Best Medicine
2 2 3 3 4
How to Drink More Water
A Client Shares Her Experience
What Causes Eye Twitching?
Crostini With Ricotta, Peas, and Mint
Get Rid of Bugs in Your Home With These Hacks
Get Rid of Them With These Hacks
Has Spring Brought Bugs Into Your Home?
When the weather warms up, bugs infiltrate homes across the country. Once it happens, you’re often left scrambling to your local hardware store to get the necessary pesticide or bug deterrent. Unfortunately, many pesticides and traps postpone the problem rather than solve it entirely. The good news is that you can fix many insect problems without having to test random products you find at the store. Certain household items do a magnificent job at preventing, deterring, and sometimes even killing bugs. If you’re worried about bugs infesting your home this spring, give these methods a try. LEMON OIL The last thing we want to see in our homes is a cockroach. A popular urban legend says that cockroaches can survive a nuclear explosion, so you probably can’t keep them out of your home. Plus, many of the products you can buy to kill or deter cockroaches are extremely toxic, so setting them out is dangerous if you have pets. Instead, put a few drops of lemon oil into the water you
use to mop the floor. Cockroaches hate the smell. People won’t notice the scent, and you’ll be cockroach-free before you know it. PEPPERMINT OIL Spiders are one of the more common pests we see in our homes. Even though the majority of these spiders are not harmful (and actually eat other insects), most people still do not want them in their houses. Peppermint oil is a natural repellent. It doesn’t kill spiders, but it keeps them away. Add 5–10 drops of peppermint oil into 3/4 cup water mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of liquid detergent to create a harmless mixture that will keep spiders at bay. CINNAMON Another common pest that can be a nightmare to get rid of is ants. Once you notice ants getting into your home, they appear to be endless and can be found in just about every corner of the house. Ants hate the smell of cinnamon and will avoid areas with the scent. Sprinkle some cinnamon near the areas where they are entering your house and watch them disappear.
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