Take a look at the latest edition of The Monthly Renewal!
The
Monthly
Renewal
3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • www.eyeplasticmd.com
JULY 2021
Our Family Fourth of July Tradition CELEBRATING UNDER THE STARS
Independence Day isn’t just about fireworks and barbecues, though I like both of those aspects of the holiday. It commemorates a time when the 13 original colonies fought for their freedom from British rule to form the budding democracy of America. Despite nearly two and half centuries of growing pains, I feel honored to live in the United States. I was afforded an opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a physician and to serve the Northern Virginia community. I grew up in Bergen County, New Jersey, which is at the northern most tip of the state. For 10 years, I worked each summer for our small town’s Department of Public Works. I had a blast with this job. My work included a wide range of jobs: paving roads; painting all of the different town buildings including the police department’s headquarters; driving a wide range of different town trucks; scuba diving to find the leaks in our town’s monstrous swimming pool; prepping the baseball fields for games; cutting all of the town fields with ride-on tractors; and helping get the town set up for our yearly Fourth of July fireworks display.
It was then that I became, and continue to be, a lover of all forms of fireworks. Our town was small and the budget for fireworks was also small; however, the 15 minutes of fireworks were always amazing to watch with my parents and five siblings. I remember hearing that even our small fireworks display cost $20,000 back when I was only 15 years of age. When I was older, and training in ophthalmology in New York City, I still thoroughly enjoyed watching the fireworks, but this time from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan with a view of the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. My family and I have continued to enjoy the fireworks, so popular during July 4 celebrations, but now it is often with a bunch of scouts camping in the western part of Virginia. I love leaning back and being surprised by the colors and booms as the fireworks envelop the sky. It all makes me feel like a 10-year-old kid again! As we emerge from this pandemic, I hope we can all take time to enjoy simple pleasures and be reminded of how lucky we are each day. I have recently started devoting 10 minutes each night before going to sleep to close my eyes and pray and see how many things I can recall from the day for which I can be
“I love leaning back and being surprised by the colors and booms as the fireworks envelop the sky. It all makes me feel like a 10-year-old kid again!”
thankful. I mentally walk through the entire day, and it always makes me smile to remember the blessings. It also helps me end each day on a positive note. Thank you to my immediate and extended family, to my friends, and to you, my patients, for giving me so much to be grateful for!
—Dr. Kevin Scott
1
(703) 620-4300
HOW TO LIVE TO 99
Opt for naturally made sunscreens and read the ingredients to ensure it doesn’t contain unnecessary additives like parabens. These chemical compounds preserve beauty products but are potentially linked to cancer and other ailments. Do your research on every ingredient before choosing a natural sunscreen for your family! There are key ingredients you need to look for when choosing the right sunscreen, and as a bonus, they are naturally occurring! Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide reflect and scatter the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Without these ingredients, you will only lessen your exposure to some of the sun’s rays, but not the two most dangerous — UVA and UVB. TREATMENT FOR THE BURN First, run a bath with cool, tepid water. Allow your skin to cool in the bath and use ice packs for quick relief. Stay hydrated by drinking water, which will help your skin absorb and hold in moisture. Regularly apply natural lotions or lubricants to further help your skin lock in moisture. Coconut oil, aloe vera, and honey can also relieve pain, swelling, and burning. (Do not use honey on babies who are 12 months or younger.) Natural Prevention Secrets and Treatments for Sunburns Don’t Feel the Burn!
Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s time for pool parties, barbecues, vacations, bike rides, and endless days at the lake or baseball field. It can feel great to soak up some sunshine after a long winter, but it can also lead to sunburns and aging skin. Sadly, many common sunscreens can be loaded with added chemicals.
However, you can avoid sunburns and chemicals by naturally preventing and treating sunburns. Here’s how!
“I recently had an eye lift and laser resurfacing done by Dr. Kevin Scott. Dr. Scott is an extremely competent surgeon as well as a very nice person. My eyes and skin have never looked better. The office staff are absolutely lovely people who are attentive to your needs. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Scott and his staff if you want the best.” –Carol K. “I was very pleased with the eye lid procedure that Dr. Scott performed on me. Before, I looked tired all the time and felt tired because my eyelids were so droopy. Also, my peripheral vision was being affected. Now I can see much better and don’t look tired all the time! Dr. Scott did wonders for me! Nice, friendly office, too. Would highly recommend Dr. Scott!” –Nancy R. TESTIMONIALS NATURAL PREVENTION Sunscreen is often the first tool people grab, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead, try limiting the direct exposure you have to the sun. Wear hats that cover your head, face, and ears and loose clothing that covers your shoulders and legs. Avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day when the sun is at its most intense and try to sit in the shade. THE RIGHT SUNSCREEN Store-bought sunscreen can be beneficial, but it’s often filled with added chemicals and ingredients. Conversely, many homemade salves are not effective.
Always call your doctor if a sunburn gets worse or if you have a bad reaction to a natural remedy.
“I would highly recommend Eye Plastic Associates for upper eyelid surgery. Everything about my surgery went just as discussed. I love the results! My upper eyelids look even better than I expected — so perfectly done that they look natural without that pulled look that sometimes happens with less experienced doctors. Dr. Scott has the right credentials. He is a board-certified ophthalmic surgeon and has extensive education in ophthalmology. The office staff are also very nice and easy to work with.” –Bonnie M.
2 www.EyePlasticMD.com
DROOPY EYELIDS? How Dr. Scott Can Help
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THIS PROCEDURE? If you look back at photos of yourself 5-10 years ago and can see a visible difference in your eyelids, or if you notice your vision has become restricted by drooping upper eyelids, you may be a good candidate for a ptosis repair. Dr. Scott can also help determine how you might respond to the surgery by placing drops in the eyes that simulate the look of surgery. Ptosis surgery is generally not recommended for individuals who have severely dry eyes, since elevating the upper eyelid exposes more surface area of the eye to be lubricated, thus increasing ocular dryness and discomfort. This internal elevation of an eyelid is not intended to reduce excess or redundant upper eyelid skin, which would be addressed with an external upper eyelid laser blepharoplasty. WHAT’S THE HEALING PROCESS LIKE? Patients can expect some swelling after surgery, and in some cases, they may experience bloody tears for a day or two following the procedure. Generally, though, healing is very rapid from an internal upper eyelid ptosis repair. Dr. Scott will also advise you on post-operative care, including recommending you initially decrease physical activity for a few weeks while your internal wound(s) heals. As with any procedure, some risks are associated with a ptosis repair. To learn more about this procedure and whether this is a good option for you, contact Dr. Scott for a consultation by calling 703-620-4300 or by filling out the ‘Request an Appointment’ form on our website: EyePlasticMD.com.
One of the most common procedures we perform is a ptosis repair. Ptosis (pronounced TOE-sis, the “p” is silent) is the medical term for upper eyelids that droop and may affect a single lid or both. In some cases, it’s barely noticeable. In serious cases, though, the lid can become so droopy that it covers part of the pupil, restricting vision. WHAT CAUSES PTOSIS? Ptosis often occurs with aging. The muscle that attaches to the connective tissue of the upper eyelid can slip back over time, which results in the dropping of the entire upper lid. There are other causes as well. Some patients develop ptosis following any form of ocular surgery, such as cataract or retinal surgery Also, long-term gas-permeable contact lens wearers are also more likely to develop ptosis. Additionally, there are congenital and neurologic disorders which can result in ptosis of the upper eyelid(s) as well. HOW DOES PTOSIS REPAIR WORK? A ptosis repair is performed on an outpatient basis. Dr. Scott uses a technique that allows him to access the tissue and muscle by going underneath the upper
eyelid. As the patient heals, the stitches dissolve, and the stitch line is not visible because it is inside of the upper eyelid. That means there is no visible scarring.
Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com Iced Green Tea, 2 Ways
“When you have an attitude of gratitude, you wake up saying thank you!” –Maya Angelou
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
•
2 tbsp loose-leaf green tea
For Rose and Coriander Tea: 1. In a large pitcher, place green tea, rose petals, and coriander seeds. 2. Bring 1/2 cup water to just below boiling. 3. Pour hot water over tea leaves, petals, and seeds. Let steep for 10 seconds, then add the remaining 3 1/2 cups water. 4. Refrigerate 4–8 hours until tea reaches your desired strength. Strain and serve over ice. For Ginger Mint Tea: Follow the instructions above, substituting the mint leaves and ginger coins for the rose petals and coriander seeds.
•
4 cups filtered water, divided
Option 1: Rose and Coriander • 1 tbsp dried rose petals • 1 tbsp whole
coriander seeds
Option 2: Ginger Mint • 1 handful fresh mint leaves •
1 inch fresh ginger, cut into coins
3 (703) 620-4300
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • www.eyeplasticmd.com
Inside This Issue
1
Our Family Fourth of July Tradition
2 2 3 3 4
Prevent and Treat Sunburns Naturally!
Testimonials
Repairing Droopy Eyelids
Iced Green Tea, 2 Ways
An Olympic Medal — For Arts
An Olympic Medal — For Arts
From 1912–1952, the Olympics awarded medals for arts and sculpture, though most people do not remember this. In 2012, the first book in English on the topic was published, “The Forgotten Olympic Art Competitions” by Richard Stanton. Stanton dug through decades-old, crumbling files that were packed away in Switzerland in order to uncover the origin of this forgotten Olympic tradition. Apparently, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the modern Olympic Games, saw art competitions as integral to his vision of the Olympics. Stanton told Smithsonian Magazine of Coubertin, “He was raised and educated classically, and he was particularly impressed with the idea of what it meant to be a true Olympian — someone who was not only athletic, but skilled in music and literature.” Coubertin thought that without the arts, it couldn’t be a true Olympic event. However, Coubertin had no luck convincing local organizers from Athens, St. Louis, or Paris that art competitions were necessary. At the 1912 Stockholm Games, Coubertin finally secured the Olympic fine art competitions. There were categories for architecture, music, painting, sculpture, and literature, but every work had to somehow be inspired by sports.
Judges didn’t have to award gold medals if they were disappointed by all the submissions, but 1912 was a success. With 33 artists in participation, a gold medal was awarded in every category. (Coubertin even won for his poem, “Ode to Sport”! He disguised it with a pseudonym.)
As the Olympics exploded into a beloved international event, the fine arts competitions rarely caught people’s
attention. Not all categories won gold medals, if any at all. There were significant winners, however. John Russell Pope (the architect of the
Jefferson Memorial) won a silver at the 1932 Los Angeles Games for his design of the Payne Whitney Gymnasium, constructed at Yale University. Other famous participants include Italian sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti, American illustrator Percy Crosby, Irish author Oliver St. John Gogarty, and Dutch painter Isaac Israëls. Even if the art competitions are not a part of the games anymore, they are fascinating to learn about! We’ll definitely think about them the next time the Olympics (finally) roll around.
4
www.EyePlasticMD.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker