Take a look at our October newsletter!
The
Monthly
Renewal
3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • www.eyeplasticmd.com
OCTOBER 2021
I love learning — which is fortunate, considering all the years of education I needed to become a doctor. In no small part, I attribute that love to all the great teachers I had growing up. Oct. 5 is National Teacher’s Day, which I think is the perfect time to recognize the teachers who impacted our lives. Teachers have helped to keep me focused and motivated throughout my life, but I think the most important thing any teacher can do is make their lessons fun. While I didn’t realize it until years later, I finally recognized the effects of “having fun” on the learning process. As a child, I remember going to Sunday School class. We’d get pulled out of the church service a little early — already a bonus to a kid — and they’d teach us briefly about a miracle or another important religious lesson. The teachers made it interesting, but what I remember most of all were the donuts. Because we were let out of Sunday School before the service ended, we had first access to the donuts that were put out for the congregation in the church hall. I don’t think it was planned that way, but getting to choose my favorite donut before they were gone was all I wanted as a kid. Years later, I still remember Sunday School with fondness. The teachers were good and the subject was clearly interesting, but I am convinced it was the donuts that kept this positive association with my early religious teachings. Throughout my schooling, I had many wonderful teachers, but the one I remember best is Dom Mingione. Mr. Mingione was my high school history teacher, track coach, and football coach. He was a tremendous role model who taught me that you can make up for any deficiencies you might have as long as you stay focused and are willing to work hard. Mr. Mingione was very knowledgeable about history and always made the class fun by having us do non-standard projects. He’d allow us to pick our own history subjects, which made his class relatable to each student. It also forced us to read widely and become persuasive because we had to justify why the topic we’d chosen was important. He had a system — the harder we worked, the better the grade we got. It wasn’t just about the test but how much effort we put into our own learning. ‘A’ for Effort What Makes a Great Teacher
for Sight. As I embarked on my own teaching journey, I carried the lessons of my childhood with me. I always tried to have something fun as a part of my lectures, like a question of the day or an oddball fact. The goal was to keep it interesting and unique, which I hoped would make the information easier to retain. I advise anyone who finds themselves teaching to ask themselves if there is any way to make this subject fun to learn. If you are having trouble — break out the donuts! As I reflect on the teachers I’ve had throughout my life, I can’t help but think about the book “Give and Take” by Adam Grant. Grant argues that “givers” will almost always come out on top in life. While “takers” focus on what others can do for them, and “matchers” try to negotiate equal exchanges, givers focus on making things better for other people. In addition to finding success, givers also tend to not get burnt out as frequently, because they can see the positive impact of their actions.
Every great teacher I’ve met throughout my life was, without a doubt, a giver. Let’s all take our hats off to them for everything they do, especially for what they have done during these last two difficult and uncertain years. Teachers do have an incredible impact on their students; I certainly wouldn’t have the career I love today without them.
—Dr. Kevin Scott
In the years since, I’ve been blessed to teach students myself as a fellow in eyelid plastic surgery and a teacher at Georgetown University Center
1
(703) 620-4300
How Reading Fiction Can Benefit You SELF-HELP BOOKS CAN’T DO IT ALL
Many CEOs and other successful individuals continually espouse the benefits of regular reading. Many times, leaders read self-help books to improve their leadership skills and become more successful. This is all well and good, but even the most successful people in the world could be missing out on the unique benefits that come specifically from reading fiction. But what are those benefits exactly? GREATER EMPATHY When a psychologist analyzed 86 functioning MRI (fMRI) studies, he found that the same parts of the brain that fire up when reading fictional stories also fire up when we’re seeking to understand the thoughts
breaks, or else we’ll stress ourselves out and negatively affect other areas of our lives. Stress tends to keep us from sound sleep, but reading fiction before bed engages the imagination, taking us away from the stresses of everyday life before we drift off. MORE COMFORTWITH UNCERTAINTY Even though many stories (particularly those portrayed in popular movies) have nice happy endings, most people would agree that life sometimes leaves things a little more open-ended. While this fact might stress out some people, researchers have discovered that fiction readers don’t need “cognitive closure” as much as nonfiction readers.
GREATER HAPPINESS
and feelings of others. That’s because when the characters in the book we’re reading are thinking or feeling a certain way, we tend to think or feel that way with them.
Even if none of the benefits of fiction interest you, everyone wants to find ways to make themselves happy — and for many, that is reading fiction. According to one
LESS STRESS AND BETTER SLEEP When we read fiction specifically, we tend to disengage from the world — and that’s a good thing! Our brains can’t always
survey, 76% of participants said that reading makes them feel good and improves their lives. So, what are you waiting for? Dust off that novel you’ve been meaning to read and crack it open!
be functioning at their peak capacity. We need
I Can See Clearly Now PATIENT VICKI CONDO SHARES HER SURGERY EXPERIENCE Vicki Condo never planned to get plastic surgery, but a medical issue changed her plans. She knew that her upper eyelids were starting to droop but learned during a vision test that they were actually obstructing her sight. “I got scared that it would get worse, and I wouldn’t be able to drive,” she remembered. Someone she knew had recently seen Dr. Scott for an “eyelid lift” with great results, so Vicki decided to give him a call. “I also had bags under my eyes,” Vicki said, “so Dr. Scott told me, if I was interested, it would be best to have the upper and lower eyelids addressed at the same time.” In the end, she had a cosmetic treatment on her lower lids, and since the upper lids were considered medical, health insurance covered that part. She notes, “I’m normally a nervous Nellie when it comes to any kind of surgery, but Dr. Scott has the best bedside manner. Right away, you know when you click with a doctor, and I just liked him and his mannerisms.” Including preparation and recovery, the entire outpatient procedure took under six hours, with the surgery itself lasting around 90 minutes. Vicki got nervous on the way there, but Dr. Scott, the nurses, and the other staff
quickly put her at ease. “My husband said he’d never seen me so calm,” she remembers. “There’s just something about Dr. Scott that’s very reassuring.”
About her recovery, Vicki laughed, saying, “You look crazy the first few days after the procedure. My husband was hysterical; he had a great time.” But Dr. Scott had explained the recovery process in detail before surgery, so Vicki knew what to expect. “The healing and aftercare happened exactly like they said it would. I’m very happy with the work.” Vicki has been married for 37 years and has two grown children, but jokes, “I’ll never have grandchildren; I’ll have to have a granddog.” She lives what she calls “a quiet life” as a homemaker, and she enjoys spending time with friends and walking at Great Falls Park. “Having surgery on your eyes is pretty scary,” Vicki admits, but she’s very glad she went through with the procedure. “I told Dr. Scott I’d rather have less than more done, and he did exactly what he promised. If you ever need this kind of work done, I definitely recommend Dr. Scott.”
2 www.EyePlasticMD.com
How These Conditions Can Affect Your Eyes ENTROPION AND ECTROPION
From crow’s feet to worsening vision, our eyes are particularly susceptible to the effects of aging. Caused by a loosening of the lower eyelids, an entropion and ectropion are age-related conditions that can impact both the appearance and function of a person’s eye. An entropion occurs when the lower eyelid rolls inward toward the eye, causing the lashes to touch the cornea. An ectropion has the opposite effect and causes the lower lid to droop away from the eye, leaving the eye more exposed. Both an entropion and ectropion can affect one or both lower eyelids and rarely can affect the upper eyelids as well. In addition to impacting a person’s appearance, an entropion and ectropion can cause a variety of health complications. An entropion can result
in irritation, light sensitivity, and excessive tearing. While an ectropion can affect tear drainage and expose your eye to dust and debris, causing irritation and dryness or even the opposite with excessive tearing. Both conditions tend to worsen with time and can eventually lead to cornea damage. While an entropion and ectropion are most commonly caused by the laxity that develops with aging, chronic allergies, eye scarring, and eye trauma are other risk factors. You can help prevent these conditions by avoiding rubbing your eyes and ensuring you apply any eye drops or ointments correctly. Ideally, you would never pull down your lower eyelids to apply drops, but instead you should tilt your head back and lift up your upper eyelid to instill the drops. In the case of needing to apply an ointment to the eye, this
approach could be difficult — and in this case, gently pulling down on the lower eyelid to make a pocket would be best. Once an entropion or ectropion has developed, surgery is usually the only solution. Your surgeon will typically make a small incision in the outer corner of your eyelid and shorten the eyelid to provide the proper amount of tension. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis with minimal recovery time, and the vast majority of patients do not experience a recurrence of their condition. If you are suffering from entropion or ectropion, Eye Plastic Associates can help. Dr. Scott has years of experience with these repairs and can get your eyes back to looking and feeling their best. You don’t have to live with constant eye irritation — call for an appointment today!
BREAKFAST SWEET POTATOES
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
Finish the end of sweet potato season strong with this must-try breakfast recipe!
A referral is the highest compliment our patients can give! Welcome to our new patients, and thank you for the six referrals this month! Do you know someone who might need Dr. Scott’s care? Pass this newsletter along to them!
INGREDIENTS
•
2 medium sweet potatoes
•
2 tbsp of your preferred nut butter
•
1 banana, sliced
•
2 tsp chia seeds
•
Cinnamon and salt to taste
DIRECTIONS
“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” –Brad Henry
1. Preheat the oven to 375 F and cover a medium baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. 2. Poke holes in the sweet potatoes and bake on the prepared sheet for 45–60 minutes. 3. Once cooled, split the sweet potatoes down the middle and top with nut butter, banana, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
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
Dr. Scott on What Makes a Great Teacher
2 2 3 3 4
The Unique Benefits of Reading Fiction
Patient Shares Surgery Experience
What Are Entropion and Ectropion?
Breakfast Sweet Potatoes
Corn Mazes Date Back to Ancient Greece?
Corn Mazes Date Back to Ancient Greece?
A Historical Look at This Wacky Fall Tradition
THE MINOTAUR AND THE MAZE Have you heard of Theseus and the Minotaur? This ancient Greek legend tells the story of the hero Theseus, who ventured into an elaborate maze to kill the half-man, half-bull imprisoned there. The monstrous Minotaur was known to eat heroes, and the labyrinth was known to trap them, but Theseus managed to slay the Minotaur and find his way home with the help of a string that he unspooled as he walked. This story isn’t the first recorded example of a maze or labyrinth — according to the World History encyclopedia, “[L]abyrinths and labyrinthine symbols have been dated to the Neolithic Age in regions as diverse as modern-day Turkey, Ireland, Greece, and India, among others” — but it’s perhaps the most famous ancient tale. If you’ve ever navigated a Halloween corn maze staffed by ghouls and ghosts, you can see the parallels!
GARDEN ART TO GET LOST IN Mazes formed from bushes began popping up European gardens in the 17th century. They were a popular artistic feature of upper-class gardens in England, more for looking at than solving. One famous example is the half-mile- long Hampton Maze, which was planted in 1690 and still stands today. THE CORN MAZE: AN AMERICAN INVENTION Garden mazes eventually hopped the pond to America but didn’t become interactive puzzles until Don Frantz, Creative Director of the American Maze Company, came on the scene. In 1993, Frantz created the “first ever cornfield maze for private and public entertainment” to attract college kids in Pennsylvania. Today, every small- town corn maze is a descendant of his “Amazing Maize Maze.” To learn more about that wacky history, visit AmericanMaze.com.
Exploring a corn maze is a great way to get outside and enjoy the fall season with friends and family — but who came up with the idea of wandering around a corn field for fun? As it turns out, outdoor mazes are an ancient tradition, and the American corn maze of the ‘90s sprouted from the mazes of 17th-century European gardens. Don’t believe it? Here’s a quick tour of corn maze history.
4
www.EyePlasticMD.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator