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Eye Patching
The following are a compilation of Anchor Center for Blind Children Parent
suggestions, Internet postings and expert resources on Eye Patching:
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Adhere and remove the patch in a darker room. This was less stressful for our
child.
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Carry a younger child in a forward-facing Snugli and do lots of one on one
hands busy time to help keep baby distracted enough to leave the patch alone.
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Coat the area where the patch adhesive will stick with milk of magnesia so
there will be less irritation and the patch can be removed easily.
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Let your child patch his or her stuffed animals or dolls.
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Try different patch types such as 3M Opticlude.
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Place a double patch on the eye. When the top patch is pulled off, another
remains.
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Keep a group of special toys or activities for play only when the patch is on.
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Wear a patch in preparation for your child's patching protocol and during the
time the child was patched at home.
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Place the patch on the infant just before waking from sleep: it will minimize
distress and make the result seem natural. (Patch time is meant for the waking
hours.)
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Check out the Patching Club website at
http://www.preventblindness.org/children/EyePatchClub.html
Each child is unique and your family's personal style in combination with a
vision specialis's recommendations will help determine the best methods for
managing patching.
Questions to ask your
Doctor about Eye Patching
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What is the acuity of each eye separately? Right eye? Left eye?
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What is the acuity of both eyes together?
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Which eye should be patched?
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How long each day should my child be patched?
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Does it matter when my child is patched? If so, when should my child be
patched?
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How will I know that the patching is working?
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When should my child come back to be re-evaluated?
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How will you monitor improvement? Will you repeat acuity testing at each visit
to monitor?
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If patching is not improving my child's vision, when do we consider stopping
the patching?
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If patching is not improving my child's vision, what other alternatives can we
consider?
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What is the long-term patching plan?
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