Patching Tips for Parents
WHEN IS PATCHING IS RECOMMENDED?
Patching is recommended when children have amblyopia, also called lazy eye. Patching works by covering the eye with normal vision so the weaker eye (the one with poorer vision) can get stronger. You can think of it as covering the strong eye to help the weak eye get better.
WHAT KIND OF PATCH SHOULD BE USED?
The best type of patch is one with adhesive on the back, like a Band-Aid. [See figure 1] It should be big enough to completely cover the child’s eye. Sometimes it helps to fold the patch a little before peeling off the backing to make it more curved. This gives more room for the child’s eyelashes to blink. Some patches come with fun designs to encourage kids to wear them.
There are also cloth patches that fit over glasses. For the patches that fit over glasses to work, the glasses must fit well on the child’s face, and the patch should cover the whole lens and the space around the eye, so the child can't peek around the patch. Pirate patches with straps don't work well because they don't fit tightly enough, and kids often move them to peak around them. If you notice your child turning their head or lifting their chin to peek while wearing the patch, make sure to watch them closely and check how well the patch is fitting.
Fig. 1: An eye patch looks like a Band-Aid.
SHOULD GLASSES BE WORN DURING PATCHING?
Yes. The glasses should be worn over the sticky eye patch. Do not stick the patch on the glasses lens. It will not work well as the child will be able to peek around the lens and the patch.
WHAT IF THE PATCH ADHESIVE CAUSES SKIN IRRITATION?
After removing the patch, using lotion or moisturizer can help soothe the skin. Different patches have different adhesives, so switching to another brand might help reduce irritation. Another idea is to rub Milk of Magnesia on the skin where the patch will go. Let it dry on the skin before applying the patch. This helps keep the adhesive from sticking too much to the skin. If the patch feels too sticky, you can stick it to a clean cloth, like a shirt, a few times before putting it on the child’s face.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENCOURAGE BETTER PATCHING?
To help younger children keep the patch on, make it part of their daily routine. Spending one-on-one time with an infant or toddler can help keep them distracted and stop them from taking off the patch. Giving the child a fun activity, like watching a favorite TV show or playing video games, can also help. For infants and toddlers, sometimes using Velcro wraps around the arms can prevent them from taking the patch off. These wraps usually only need to be used a few times. Talk to your child’s pediatric ophthalmologist before using this method.
Older children might need rewards to help them stick to their patching. You can use fun posters where the child fills in a box each time they wear the patch. They can get a prize when they complete the poster.
Updated: 12/2024
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