Lazy Eye
Amblyopia or lazy eye is where the vision in one eye (rarely both) does not develop normally.
This is usually because your child needs to wear glasses, has a squint (strabismus) or has another eye disease interfering with normal visual development. Management will involve diagnosing the reason for the poor vision and starting treatment which may involve glasses, patching, surgery to correct a squint (strabismus) or other eye problem.
A patch is a treatment to improve the vision in an eye which is lazy or amblyopic. The patch will cover the good or straight eye and will ensure that the child uses his/her poor eye and will allow the vision to develop normally. The patch is usually used in conjunction with any glasses which have been prescribed. The orthoptists or Doctor will tell you how may hours a day you will need to use the patch for your child. It is best to use the patch when the child is carrying out detailed work such as reading, writing, drawing, jig-saws, computer games etc. If your child develops a rash with the patch then a different type can be used.
Patching is most effective at a young age. By the age of approximately 8, the eyes are fully developed and it becomes difficult to improve the vision, therefore, the sooner the patching is started the more likely it will succeed.
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| B08000603 |
