Eye Safety for Halloween

Halloween has become a favorite time of year for folks young and old to ‘dress up’ and along with that comes the need to remind adults and parents of some eye safety tips.

1. DECORATIVE CONTACT LENSES – sometimes referred to as theatrical or costume lenses, it is important to remember these are medical devices and unless prescribed by an eye care professional, avoid them. They are regulated by the FDA, but many people buy them in salons or flea markets and they can do more harm than good to your eyes. Whether you need corrective lenses for vision or not, these must be prescribed by an eye care professional they can damage your eyes without a proper fitting.

2. MASKS – masks may be an important part of your costume, but use caution to ensure that your visibility is not impaired. Pirate costumes are popular for all age groups, but using only one eye to see can be dangerous.

If you or your child must wear a mask, make certain the eye holes are large enough to ensure good visibility. This may mean making the holes larger, but it will be worth the effort to help with safety.

Parents should think of an alternative using makeup to aid their children’s ability to see properly while still enjoying their outing.

3. WIGS & HATS – can impair your vision so use caution when using either of these. They can slip or turn and block your field of vision so make certain they are securely in place.

4. MAKEUP – while makeup is a good alternative to a mask, patients should check to ensure that it is hypoallergenic and FDA approved. Also be careful to avoid the eye area as it could cause an irritation to this sensitive area.

Use caution as well when applying false eyelashes as the glue can get into the eye area and cause damage and irritation.

5. PROPS – if part of your child’s costume is a sword, wand or anything stick-like, make sure it is made of a flexible material so they don’t injure themselves or others.

6. COSTUMES – while an all black (or dark) costume may be perfect for your children’s character, it makes them very hard to see at night or in a crowd. At a minimum, make certain to have reflective tape on their clothes.

7. TREATS – it’s important that children understand they should not eat anything on their route but should bring it home for an adult to inspect. Any items that are not age-appropriate (peanuts, small candies) for the child or if it appears tampered in any way, should be thrown away. Better to err on the side of caution than to have a problem.

The doctors and staff at D’Ambrosio Eye Care wish you a fun-filled and safe Halloween!

D'Ambrosio Eye Care Offers Lecture Series

Did you know that the medical doctors at D’Ambrosio Eye Care can provide lectures in their difference specialties for varied groups?

Sahana Vyas, M.D., retinal specialist at D’Ambrosio Eye Care, has provided talks followed by a question and answer session at several Assisted Living residences, senior centers and health

groups. Several of her topics include:

 “What’s New in Macular Degeneration”
 “How Diabetes Can Affect Your Vision”
 “Why Do I Need a Dilated Eye Exam?”

Benjamin (Bin) Wu, M.D. , glaucoma specialist at D’Ambrosio Eye Care, lectures to different organizations on:

 “The Importance of Screening for Glaucoma”

JoAnn C. Chang, M.D. is the LASIK and cornea specialist at D’Ambrosio Eye Care and provides information on LASIK and other vision correction procedures.

Should your organization be interested in discussing options for our doctors to speak, please contact Jude Seppa, Community Outreach, at 978.537-3900 x345 for more information.

Eye Injury Prevention Month at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

D’Ambrosio Eye Care wishes to announce that October has been designated Eye Injury Prevention Month by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. When most people go out to mow the lawn, jump-start the car or get ready to do some spring cleaning, the last thing they think about is protecting their eyes, but it should be first on their mind. It is a good idea to think about protecting your eyes from the extraordinary damage often caused by the most ordinary of activities.


Many household chemicals, such as cleaning fluids, detergents and ammonia, are extremely hazardous and can burn the eye's delicate tissues. When using chemicals, always read instructions and labels carefully, work in a well-ventilated area and make sure spray nozzles point away from you and others before spraying. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after use.


Before using a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger, check for debris. Stones, twigs and other items can become dangerous projectiles shooting from the blades of a lawnmower, potentially injuring your eyes or those of innocent bystanders. Prevention is the first and most important step in avoiding serious eye injuries, so be sure to protect your eyes with appropriate protective eyewear.


Please feel free to phone D’Ambrosio Eye Care Toll Free at 800.325.3937 to schedule a consultation and examination.