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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
DECEMBER 2022
CLOSING OUT AN EVENTFUL YEAR Making the Most of Each Moment
As the year comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on all that has happened and look forward to what is next. I have had a very blessed 2022, and I’m incredibly grateful for the time I’ve spent with my family. We can’t always be together, but that only made this year more special. Late this year, we had a wonderful visit from my sister, Beth, and her husband, Jitze. They live in Holland, so we don’t see them often, but they visited for a couple of months this autumn and stayed with my mom, who lives one town over. During their visit, my sister, Leigh, came down from Maine, and my brother, Grant, came up from North Carolina. Meanwhile, my brother, Robert, his wife, Jennifer, and their three kids live locally, so we had the opportunity to spend time together. We also spent substantial time with my wife, Tala’s, side of the family. Her mother, Swetlana, and brother, Michael, live locally, so we regularly see them. But her brother, George, his wife Maria, and their two children also visited this year. We all have busy lives, so those gatherings are rare and we try to make the most of them.
a year off. William & Mary is known for its robust study abroad program, but COVID threw a wrench into everything, and Alecia never got the opportunity to travel during college. So, she’s making up for lost time. With the money she saved from her fitness and dance instructor job and graduation gifts she received in high school and college, she left in October to pursue a backpacking adventure across Europe. She’s traveling through 14 countries in 60 days. She put together the entire itinerary herself. Tala and I are amazed and proud of her initiative and independence. One of the most important stops will be in Holland, where she’ll visit Beth and Jitze before traveling to different cities to spend time with her cousins, Jennifer and Carolyn and her husband Danian. She’ll also meet another cousin, Anja, when she travels through Cambridge, England. Her adventures will also take her through Portugal, Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, and Scotland. She’s returning mid-December in time for Christmas, and I’m sure she’ll have many stories to tell. My son, Nicholas, is also doing well. He is in his third year of a mechanical engineering degree at George Mason University. He also does a fantastic job competing as a pole vaulter on the school’s track team. We love having him so close by, and he occasionally comes home to share a meal with us. I’m so grateful for the time I’ve spent with my family this year and the time they’ve spent with each other. Something as simple as a shared meal helps revive me. I plan to make 2023 and every other year in the future just as
We’re also excited to celebrate my daughter, Alecia’s, graduation from William & Mary. She’ll be attending graduate school, but in the meantime, she’s taking
dedicated to the people I love most. I hope you do the same — whether that means gathering with family, friends, or neighbors. Take the opportunities to assemble when you can, and make the most of it when you can’t. Happy holidays!
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KEEP YOUR SMOKE DETECTOR CLEAN YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!
We all know a smoke detector protects us from a fire in our home. They stay on constant alert, sniffing out any sign of smoke. But are you maintaining yours properly? Many homeowners only touch their smoke alarms when they chirp for new batteries, ignoring them every other day of the year. You should be cleaning (yes, cleaning , not just pressing that button!) every six months. Cleaning your smoke detector is essential to your safety. Here’s a step-by-step guide on doing it correctly. Cleaning your smoke detector is important. Your house is filled with pollutants, even if you clean it regularly. Things like dust, pollen, pet dander, cooking
vapors, and smoke linger in your house even if you can’t see them. These tiny fibers and particles love to find small spaces to settle into, like your smoke alarm. As these tiny particles build up, they cover the smoke-sniffing sensors in the detector and insulate it from the outside. This is a problem when a fire breaks out because it will take longer for the smoke to make its way to that sensor through the gunk. The more time the smoke takes to filter through the buildup, the longer your family is in danger. There are two critical parts to cleaning your smoke detector; each is equally vital to keeping your family safe.
attachment of your vacuum to gently dislodge and remove the pollutants inside the device. If you don’t have a brush attachment, use any soft cleaning brush to break up that gunk before vacuuming it away. Wipe the outside vents. In a bowl, mix a bit of water and mild detergent (we recommend Dawn dish soap or equivalent) and saturate a paper towel or microfiber cloth in the mixture. Use this to wipe the outside of your smoke detector, particularly the vent openings. These will likely become clogged with dust and dander, so focus your scrubbing efforts there to ensure air can pass through. We want you to always be safe in the case of an emergency. Add these two steps to your cleaning routine to protect your home and family from fire.
Vacuum the inside of the unit. Take the outer face of your smoke detector off, and use the soft brush
HOW BLEPHAROPLASTY IMPROVED SELMA’S LIFE AN EYE-OPENING PROCEDURE
Selma works behind a desk for 8–10 hours a day, where she eventually began noticing an impact on her eyes. “At the end of the day, my eyes would feel very heavy, and they’d burn,” she remembers. Believing her eyeglass prescription needed updating, she visited her optometrist. He explained that her eyesight was normal, but her eyelids were likely causing her problems. After doing some research, Selma found Dr. Scott online. During her first visit, he performed a field of vision test and an exam before concluding that excess skin was causing her eyelids to droop and block her peripheral vision. He recommended a blepharoplasty on both upper eyelids to alleviate her problems. Selma trusted her relationship with Dr. Scott right away. “It’s very difficult to find a doctor who genuinely cares about patients and their concerns,” she says. “But he had the kindest staff I have ever experienced; they make you feel welcome from the time you walk in the door. I felt really comfortable doing the surgery with him because he was very thorough in explaining everything.”
After she had her sutures removed, Selma remembers being ecstatic. “I constantly felt tired before because my eyes were so heavy, and it wasn’t a good quality of life,” she says. As a bonus, she says, “The whole procedure made me look younger!” Selma notes that Dr. Scott refers to this effect as looking “more awake.” She agrees that she now appears and feels more alert than before the surgery. Selma is a government information specialist, and the surgery has positively impacted her job. She must maintain her attention during extended hours of detailed work, which she can now do better after her blepharoplasty. Outside of work, Selma considers exercising her hobby. “Weightlifting is my primary focus,” she says. She also enjoys spending time with her fiancé and cat. As for her views on Dr. Scott, Selma calls him “the best doctor across the board.” In particular, “I appreciated his expertise and the amount of effort he took to show that he actually cares about what he does,” she says. “That was the biggest reason I chose him, and I’m so glad I did because I don’t think I would have been comfortable with anyone else.”
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It’s hard for most people to imagine how their eyelashes could scratch their eyes, but it’s an everyday reality for people with epiblepharon. This condition mainly occurs in children and is caused by the lower eyelid skin pushing the eyelashes against the eye. As a result, the lashes can interfere with vision and cause discomfort as they touch the ocular surface. Dr. Scott likens the eyelid to a sandwich with a piece of bread on either side. Epiblepharon occurs when the front layer of skin and muscle on the lower eyelid doesn’t properly adhere to the back portion of the eyelid. An extra fold appears in the lower eyelid, pushing the lashes upward and posteriorly toward the eye. The condition is typically genetic and usually occurs in Asian, Hispanic, and Native American children. Although it is rare, epiblepharon can occasionally occur in the upper eyelid as well. The good news is that the condition is asymptomatic in most children. Even better, they tend to grow out of it and don’t require surgery. But in a small number of cases, epiblepharon continues into adulthood and causes significant eye discomfort or damage. When severe enough, epiblepharon can cause the vertical eyelashes to scratch against the cornea. Patients can How Treatment Can Help Epiblepharon Causes Persistent Eye Discomfort
experience eye pain, redness, itching, watering, discharge, and sensitivity to light. It is common for individuals with this condition to have tried multiple home remedies before having their problem correctly diagnosed. They use eye drops and ointments, carry tissues everywhere, and wear sunglasses. Unfortunately, many doctors are unfamiliar with this condition or don’t realize that treatment is available. But when the condition does not improve spontaneously, an eyelid surgery can be performed to correct the problem and dramatically improve the patient’s quality of life. Dr. Scott’s preferred method of epiblepharon correction involves making a small incision underneath the eyelashes and removing a very small “banana shaped” strip of skin and muscle. The wound is then sutured closed thereby reducing the extra lower eyelid fold, and this returns the eyelashes to a more standard position. Complications from this surgery are very rare. If you suspect you have epiblepharon and experience chronic symptoms, you don’t have to live with this condition. You deserve to live a life free of eye discomfort and pain. Call Eye Plastic Associates to schedule a consultation at which Dr. Scott will assess your situation and determine the best path forward.
Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
INGREDIENTS • 6 1/2 cups potatoes, cut into large chunks • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 onions, sliced • 1 tbsp flour • 2 large carrots, cut into rounds • 1/2 cauliflower, broken into florets
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced • 1 sprig rosemary • 15-oz can diced tomatoes plus liquid • 1/2 cup water • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas • Milk, to desired consistency
A referral is the highest compliment we can receive! Thank you for sending us 20 referrals this month!
DIRECTIONS
1. In a pot, boil potatoes until tender. 2. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add carrots, cauliflower, garlic, and rosemary and stir until softened. 3. Pour tomatoes into mix and add water. Cover and let
simmer for 10 minutes, then remove lid and cook for 15 minutes until thickened. Stir in peas and simmer. 4. Drain and mash potatoes. Stir in milk to desired consistency. 5. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spoon hot vegetable mix into pie dish, then top with mashed potatoes. Bake until top is golden brown.
“Family faces are like magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present and future.” –Gail Lumet Buckley
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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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Dr. Scott Reflects on 2022
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Why You Need to Clean Your Smoke Detector
How We Helped a Patient Open Her Eyes
The Rare Condition That Creates Vertical Eyelashes
Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie
You’re a Mainstay, Mr. Grinch
BEHIND THE TIMELESS CHRISTMAS TALE How the Grinch Stole Our Hearts
As regularly as Rudolph does, the Grinch appears on our television screens every December. Despite his negative attitude and nefarious intentions, the protagonist of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” remains a family favorite more than 60 years after the animated TV special first aired.
The TV special contains nine total musical numbers, the most famous featuring lyrics only Dr. Seuss could have written. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is a hilariously clever song and a highlight of the program. The filmmakers also secured a big win in the voice talents of horror movie legend Boris Karloff, who provided an alternatingly sneering and tender tone to the production. Thanks to its full animation technique featuring 25,000 drawings, Variety says “The Grinch” may have been the most expensive television special made until that time. Later, Hollywood upped the ante with a live-action adaptation in 2000 and an animated full-length film in 2018. Both movies were box office successes, but neither has overtaken the 26-minute TV special as our favorite way to enjoy the Grinch. Why does the Grinch endure? Dr. Seuss based the character on himself, so it may be that there’s a little bit of the Grinch in all of us. Unlike that other well-known holiday-hater Ebenezer Scrooge, he gives those who aren’t full of Christmas cheer a favorable mascot. The Grinch’s wild schemes and comical complaints are more fun than menacing, and his story produces a reliably happy ending. As its greatest gift, an annual viewing can leave even the most hardened Grinch feeling as if their own heart has grown a size or two.
The Grinch’s transformation into a cultural icon began with a 1957 children’s book. Author Dr. Seuss had recently experienced great success with “The Cat in the Hat” and was a hot commodity. He published “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” later that same year, and the black-and-white book was an instant smash. The story might have ended there if Dr. Seuss had his way.
Dr. Seuss was protective of his creations and didn’t trust them in anyone else’s hands, but his filmmaker friend, Chuck Jones, eventually persuaded him to reconsider. Still, the story required some changes. Jones assigned the Grinch his signature green color, and the Grinch’s dog, Max, was given a more prominent role to increase the special’s runtime. But the songs were the most important of all.
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