Getting Started

Welcome to Patch Pals

If your child has recently been prescribed an eye patch, you're not alone.

Hearing terms like amblyopia or lazy eye for the first time can feel overwhelming. The good news is that patching is a well-established treatment that has helped millions of children strengthen their vision.

At PatchPals, we've been helping children, adults, and families through the patching journey for over 30 years. We hope this guide answers your questions and helps make the experience a little easier.

What is Amblyopia?

Amblyopia, often called "lazy eye," is a condition where one eye does not develop normal vision during childhood. The eye itself is usually healthy, but the brain favors the stronger eye and gradually ignores the weaker one. If left untreated, vision in the weaker eye may not fully develop. The earlier treatment begins, the better the chances of improving vision.

Signs of Amblyopia

Amblyopia can be difficult to detect because children often don't realize their vision is different in each eye. Common signs to watch for include:

Squinting or closing one eye — especially in bright light or when trying to focus
Tilting or turning the head to see better
Poor depth perception — difficulty judging distances, bumping into objects, or trouble catching a ball
One eye that wanders inward, outward, upward, or downward (strabismus)
Complaints of blurry or double vision
Frequent eye rubbing or excessive blinking
Difficulty with reading or close-up tasks — holding books very close or losing their place often
Failing a vision screening at school or the pediatrician's office

Many children with amblyopia show no obvious symptoms at all, which is why routine eye exams starting at age 1 are so important. If you notice any of these signs, speak with your child's eye care professional.

Types of Strabismus

Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. It is one of the most common causes of amblyopia. There are several types, classified by the direction the eye turns:

Esotropia (inward turning) — One or both eyes turn inward toward the nose. This is the most common type in children and is sometimes called "crossed eyes."
Exotropia (outward turning) — One or both eyes turn outward away from the nose. It may be constant or only appear when a child is tired, daydreaming, or looking at distant objects.
Hypertropia (upward turning) — One eye turns upward. This is less common and is often related to a weakness in one of the muscles that controls vertical eye movement.
Hypotropia (downward turning) — One eye turns downward. Like hypertropia, this is typically caused by a muscle imbalance.
Cyclotropia (rotational) — The eye rotates clockwise or counterclockwise around its visual axis. This type is rare and often associated with nerve or muscle problems.

Strabismus can be constant (present all the time) or intermittent (appearing only sometimes). It may affect one eye or alternate between both eyes. Treatment depends on the type and severity and may include glasses, patching, vision therapy, or surgery. Always consult your child's eye care professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Why is Patching Important?

Eye patching works by covering the stronger eye so the brain is encouraged to use the weaker eye. Over time, this helps strengthen the connection between the weaker eye and the brain, improving vision. Your eye care professional will recommend how many hours each day the patch should be worn. Following that schedule consistently is one of the most important parts of successful treatment.

Medical Definitions

Term	Definition
Amblyopia	Reduced vision in one eye because the brain favors the other eye.
Strabismus	Eyes that are not properly aligned.
Myopia (Nearsightedness)	Objects appear clearer up close than distant ones.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)	Objects appear clearer further away than up close.
Astigmatism	Blurred vision at all distances.
Retinopathy of Prematurity	Eye disease in premature babies where abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina that can cause vision loss or blindness.
Refractive Error	When the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina causing blurry vision.
Cataract	A clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision.
Occlusion Therapy	Another name for eye patching treatment.
Visual Acuity	A measurement of how clearly someone can see.
Ophthalmologist	A medical doctor specializing in eye care and surgery.
Optometrist	A healthcare professional who examines eyes and prescribes glasses and other vision care.
Optician	A professional who fits and dispenses eyeglasses based on prescriptions from the doctors.
Orthoptist	A healthcare professional who works with ophthalmologists in treating eye disorders involving movement and coordination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours should my child wear the patch?

Studies have shown that 2 hours of patching a day is just as good as 6 hours of patching. This is effective in moderate amblyopia diagnoses with vision between 20/40 - 20/80 or 6/12 - 6/24. With more severe cases, 6 hours is recommended.

You can break up the time throughout the day which can help make patching more manageable for those needing 6 hours of patching per day. If 6 hours is required, split it into three 2 hour sessions. If 2 hours is required, split into two 1 hour sessions.

You should discuss the treatment plan options with your eye care professional and follow the schedule recommended (aao.org).

What if my child refuses to wear the patch?

Be understanding of their discomfort and have patience. Patching will be a big adjustment for your child. Their brain needs time to adapt to using the weaker eye. Initially while patching, your child will have issues with depth perception and blurry vision.

Positive reinforcement, such as, reward charts, and making patch time part of a daily routine will help your child adjust quicker and normalize patching.

How long does treatment usually last?

The length of treatment varies from person to person and should be guided by your eye care professional.

It will depend on 3 factors. The age of your child, the severity of the amblyopia and how well you and your child follow the patching treatment prescribed.

Ideally, treatment for amblyopia should begin as early as possible, before age 7. A child's brain is normally fully formed by age 8-9 years. Don't be discouraged if your child is older, though. Occlusion therapy is still effective and has been successful up to age 14. It has even helped adults that were diagnosed later in life.

Studies that evaluated the hours of patching needed for the best improvement in vision varied between 150-400 hours total. 80% of the vision improvement occurred in the first 6 weeks of patching (aao.org).

Will the vision improvement be permanent?

If the treatment prescribed by your eye care professional is followed, there is an 80% chance that your child's vision improvement will continue for at least a year after patching. It is recommended that your child's vision be monitored until age 9 to make sure the amblyopia does not reoccur.

There is evidence that if a person looses vision in their good eye later in life that the weaker eye that had occlusion therapy will spontaneously improve back to the improvement level achieved after patching (aao.org).

Can my child wear glasses with a Patch Pals eye patch?

Yes! Patch Pals eye patches are designed to fit comfortably over most eyeglasses.

Are Patch Pals eye patches reusable?

Absolutely! They're designed to be washed and worn again, making them a comfortable and economical alternative to disposable adhesive patches.

How do I wash a reusable eye patch?

The patches can be gently hand-washed with soap and water. Set aside and let air dry before using again.

Sources:

https://www.aao.org/education/basic-skills/amblyopia-patching-faqs

https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/amblyopia-lazy-eye

https://www.happyeyes2see.com/post/patching

https://www.londonsquintclinic.com/eye-patching-schedule-how-many-hours-a-day-for-lazy-eye-treatment/