Eye Safety, Vision Care & Finding an Eye Care Provider

Eyes & How We See

• The Eye and How We See
  Prevent Blindness America

Eye Care & Safety

• Eyeglasses and Sunglasses Tips for Selecting, Wearing, and Keeping Them On!  
• Eye Surgery 
• Eye poking and eye touching in people with learning disabilities
  Look Up
• Eye Surgery for Adults with Learning Disabilities
  Look Up
• Eye Safety
  Prevent Blindness America
• Getting Used to Wearing Glasses
  Look Up
• Reducing Glare
  LightingResearchCenter
• UV Protection
  All About Eyes
• Night Vision and Driving
  The Vision Council

Massachusetts DDS Vision Care Guidelines for Individuals with Intellectual Disability

• Eye Examination: ALL, including those with legal or total blindness, should be under an active vision care plan and eye examination schedule based on recommendations from an eye specialist (ophthalmologist or optometrist).  Refer to eye specialist if new ocular signs and/or symptoms develop, including changes in vision/behavior.  Annual comprehensive eye exam for patients with diabetes.
• Glaucoma Assessment:  Comprehensive eye examination by age 18-22.  Follow up eye exam every 2-3 years until age 39, every 1-2 years thereafter.  More frequent eye exams for higher risk patients per vision care plan.
• Preventative Health Screening Recommendations
  These recommendations were adapted from the Massachusetts Health Quality Partnership's 2003 Preventive Health Standards to address the specific needs of people with intellectual disabilities

Eye Exams

• How Often Should I Have an Eye Exam
  Vision Aware
• Preparing for Eye Exams
  All About Vision
• Who's Who in Eye Care
  Prevent Blindness America
• Eye Doctors and Eye Exams
  Eye Doctors and Eye Exams  
• Making the Most of an Eye Exam
  Making the Most of an Eye Exam  

Finding an Eye Care Provider

• Find an Ophthalmologist in Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons
  • Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine, On-Line Physician Profile Site
  • Ophthalmologists Serving Individuals with Intellectual Disability (PDF) 
• Find an Optometrist in Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts Society of Optometrists
  • Division of Professional Licensure, Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
  • Optometrists Serving Indivduals with Intellectual Disability (PDF) 

Nutrition for Healthy Eyes

• Nutrition for Healthy Eyes
  Lighthouse International

For more information on this page, please contact:

Lisa DiBonaventura, M.A., COMS
Email: Lisa.DiBonaventura@state.ma.us

Please note: By posting these Web links, it is not our intention to endorse or recommend the sites. These sites are being offered only as informational resources.

This information is provided by the Department of Developmental Services.