Lazy eyes are pretty common, and are also quite easy to rectify. Amblyopia forms when the brain switches off or suppresses vision in one eye. This can occur if someone struggles to see as well with one of their eyes because of issues with distance vision, and in some cases, astigmatism. In addition to eye glasses, a common treatment option is putting an eye patch on your child's eye for a number of hours per day to strengthen sight in the lazy eye. But how does wearing a patch really help? Basically, wearing a patch encourages your child's brain to connect with the weaker eye, and over time, strengthen it.
Often, parents find it extremely difficult to fit their children with patches, particularly when they're on the younger side. Their more active eye is patched, which restricts their ability to see. It's a confusing conundrum- your child must wear the patch to improve their weaker eye, but that weak eyesight is just what makes the patching so difficult. There are a number of methods to encourage your child to wear their patch. With preschoolers, use a reward chart with stickers. Eye patch manufacturers understand your plight; patches are available in lots of kid-friendly colors and patterns. Make it an activity by giving them the opportunity to choose their patch every day and using the aforementioned stickers as rewards. For kids who are a little older, explain the helpfulness of wearing a patch, and refer to it as an exercise to help their vision in the long term.
For very young children, you can use flotation wings to prevent them from reaching their eyes to remove the patch.
Patches are a great solution to lazy eyes and can be really effective, but it depends on your child's cooperation and your ability to stick to the long-term goal of improving your child's vision.
