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Home » What’s New » Helping Lazy Eyes Get Active

Helping Lazy Eyes Get Active

Many kids experience a lazy eye. Amblyopia comes about when the brain shuts off or suppresses vision in one eye. This might happen if someone isn't able to see well through one eye due to nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, or something that may be blocking clear vision in that eye. Along with corrective glasses, a common treatment option is placing an eye patch on your child's eye for a number of hours per day to strengthen vision in the lazy eye. Patching.

It can be quite difficult to have your son or daughter fitted with a patch, especially when they're too young to really understand the concept. When the better eye is covered, it makes it harder for your child to see. It can be hard to justify the patch to a young child; that they must cover their strong eye to help their weaker eye, but not being able to see well is precisely the thing that makes patches so difficult. There are several ways to help your son or daughter wear their patch. For preschool-aged kids, you may find success by using a reward chart with stickers. There are a variety of ready-to-wear patches available in a cornucopia colors and patterns. Let your child be a part of the process and make it fun by allowing them to choose their patch every day. Kids who are a little older can usually intellectualize the patching process, so it's worthwhile to sit and talk to them about it.

Flotation wings are also helpful when it comes to preventing young children from removing their patches.

A successful outcome is dependent on your child's cooperation and your ability to remain focused on the long-term goal of recovering visual acuity in your child's weaker eye.