Types of Eye Patches

Certain situations necessitate the wearing of an eye patch. For childern, it is the eye disorder known as amblyopia, or lazy eye. This condition involves the failure of the brain's visual system to properly develop. It typically affects one eye with the other "good" eye doing all the work. In order to make the lazy eye function, an eye patch is worn over the good eye.

Cause

• Wearing an eye patch is the standard treatment for amblyopia. Eyeglasses may or may not be part of the treatment -- their presence can effect the type of eye patch worn. According to WebMD the prescribed treatment for amblyopia is to train the brain to use the weaker eye. The eye patch over the good eye forces the brain to translate the signals from the weak eye. How often each day the patch is worn depends upon the severity of the condition. Likewise, the total length of time a child will wear a patch varies. According to the Ohio Amblyope Registry, a child wears an eye patch from a few hours to six to eight hours per day. Treatment may last several weeks or several years.

Adhesive

• Adhesive eye patches stick to the child's eyes. Different sizes match the child's needs. Skin irritation can be a problem -- so purchase hypoallergenic patches. If that fails another type of patch will need to be used. Adhesive patches provide full coverage to the good eye, reducing the child's natural tendency to look out of the patch. These patches provide one-time use only. Instruct the child not to pull on the eye patch as it will come loose. Be careful when removing the patch to avoid any skin irritations.

Cloth

• Cloth eye patches offer an alternative for the child with allergic reactions to adhesive patches. They normally are worn on top of the eyeglasses with side coverings. They also provide for variety in color and design. Cloth presents problems when the child is able to look around the patch or the patch fails to fully cover the eye. Cloth patches are reusable and can be customized for the individual child.

Considerations

• Some children will have no choice in eye patches. Their physician will require adhesive patches to ensure the good eye is totally covered. Other children with skin irritations may have no choice but to use cloth patches unless skin ointments can reduce the irritation. WebMD suggests using a piece of gauze attached by tape to the face and then attaching the patch to the gauze. Also suggested are patches that attach to eyeglass lenses, as long as a side cover is in place.