What Patch to Use

What kind of patch should be used?

The classic patch is an adhesive "Band-Aid" type which is applied directly to the skin around the eye. These are
available in different sizes for younger and older children. For children wearing glasses, a cloth patched slipped onto the glasses may be utilized.

"Pirate" patches on elastic bands are NOT recommended due to easy removal by children.

Are any specific activities recommended while patching?

No. However, performance of near activities (reading, coloring, hand-held computer games) while patching may be more stimulating to the brain and produce a quicker recovery of vision. Watching a favorite TV program or use of a computer while patching sometimes encourages compliance.

We TYPICALLY do not recommend patching at school because it may cause problems at school such as difficulty learning, teasing by other children and reduced overall compliance.

What if a child refuses to wear the patch?

Many children resist wearing a patch at first. Successful patching requires persistence and much encouragement from family members, neighbors, teachers, etc. Children often throw a tempertantrum, but eventually learn not to remove the patch. A reward to the child for successful patching can be helpful. Usually cooperation improves as the vision improves. You may try using a reward calendar to encourage cooperation.

The use of arm guards, which are gentle restraints, may help during the difficult phases of patching therapy. These may be used not only as a deterrent from removing the patch but also as a teaching tool. The child will learn he/she doesn’t have to wear the arm guards if the patch stays on!

Is there an alternative to patching to treat amblyopia?

Sometimes the stronger eye can be "penalized" or the vision blurred to below the level of the poorer seeing eye. This can be done by using an eye drop (Atropine) in the better seeing eye and possibly changing the glasses prescription. Ophthalmologists sometimes use this treatment for mild and moderate degrees of amblyopia. Penalizing eye drops work less well when the good eye is nearsighted.