An eye mask apparatus for protecting a patient's eyes while being secured around the patient's head during panoramic dental radiography, the apparatus comprising an elongated lead vinyl sheet having a first end and a second end, wherein said first and second ends have attachment devices to releasably secure said two ends together. The elongated lead vinyl sheet is adapted to be secured around the patient's head at eye level. The elongated lead vinyl sheet is further adapted to cover a slice of the patient's head that is confined between two planes, the two planes being parallel to a transverse plane of the patient's head at eye level. Therefore, the eye mask apparatus protects the slice of the patient's head and the patient's eyes from x-ray radiation during the panoramic dental radiography. The lead vinyl sheet is placed over the patient's eyes prior to radiography.