Pumpkin Patch Project

What is the Pumpkin Patch Project?

Pumpkin Patch Project is a community event where families help spread awareness for amblyopia and vision impairment in children by patching a pumpkin during October. While trick or treat can be so much fun, it can also be intimidating for children that have difficulty seeing things.

What is amblyopia?

Children with amblyopia have one eye that sees better than the other. They are required to patch their good eye or use vision-impairing eyedrops with the hope of making the not-so-good eye see better. While the child is patched, they often do not see well and have difficulty with peripheral vision as well as depth perception.

Want to join the Pumpkin Patch Project and have a Pumpkin Patching Party?

Help us spread awareness of amblyopia in this fun and creative way. We can supply eyepatches and educational materials. You provide the pumpkins, decorating supplies and fun. You can share your pumpkin party on social media using the #pumpkinpatchproject.

Have a party with friends, with your neighbors, at the library, in your school room or community center.

Please share these facts with your party:

• Amblyopia affects approximately 3 out of every 100 children.
• If amblyopia is left untreated it can lead to permanent blindness.
• Patching and other forms of occlusion therapy are the most prevalent forms of treatment.
• Early detection is key to developing good vision.
• Kids who are prescribed patching often have difficulty because, while treating amblyopia, they struggle to see and they also struggle with the stigma associated with wearing an eye patch.

Here are some printable activity pages for your party (Right-click -> "Save As" to download):

• Coloring Pages
• Connect The Dots Page

Do you need patches for your party? Please feel free to contact us with your address and we'll send you a pack of expired patches.

How else can I help?

Parents can help spread awareness by patching one of the eyes of their jack-o'-lanterns. Parents can then place that pumpkin on their porch so trick or treaters with amblyopia and other types of low vision will recognize your home as a “scary free zone.”

Please avoid jumping out or surprising these little ones. You can also assist them by making sure your porch is well lit.

You can also download and print these resources:

• Double-sided information cards about our cause.
• Patch templates to make your own patches out of duct tape or other materials.
• Advice on how to make your porch low vision friendly for trick or treat.

If you need patches for your pumpkin, please feel free to contact us with your address and we'll send you a pack of expired patches.