Strabismus eye patch – How it works & Must-Know Tips

Strabismus eye patch – How it works & Must-Know Tips

All of the members of the Equal-Eyes team, including the author of this post, have been dealing with strabismus since birth. One of our first therapies to try to correct this visual condition was the strabismus eye patch. It has for long been considered one of the most effective non-surgical treatments during the critical period (up to ages 8-9). This blog post delves into how eye patches are used to treat strabismus, offers tips for effective patching, and discusses when patching is most beneficial, and where to consider other visual solutions.

What’s the essence of Strabismus?

Strabismus occurs when there is a misalignment between the eyes, causing them to point in different directions. This can lead to double vision or a condition called amblyopia, where the brain starts to ignore signals from the misaligned eye, in fact the patching therapy usually aims to solved also the amblyopia, and because of this is common to refer to this therapy also the eye patch for lazy eye, though it is to be noticed that the approach and goal is different for each condition.

The logic behind the patching therapy

An eye patch is used to cover the stronger eye, compelling the brain to rely on the weaker eye. This helps in strengthening the weaker eye and improving its vision. It's important to note that while patching can enhance vision, it does not correct the alignment of the eyes, especially in cases where the eye turn is .

Effectiveness of Patching by Age

Patching is most effective for children under the age of 8–9. During this period, visual development is still active, making it easier to strengthen the weaker eye. After this age, the effectiveness of patching decreases significantly. For older strabismic people, there are other ways on how to fix lazy eye in adults.

Tips for Using an Eye Patch

  1. Choose the Right Patch: Use an adhesive patch that fully covers the eye. A cloth patch over glasses can also be effective if it covers the lens and the space between the glasses and skin.
  2. Patch the Dominant Eye: Always place the patch over the eye that is correctly aligned.
  3. Patch for the Right Amount of Time: Follow your doctor's advice, typically patching for 2–6 hours daily.
  4. Make It Fun: Encourage your child to engage in close-up activities while wearing the patch to make the process enjoyable.
  5. Be Patient: Improvement might take weeks or months.
  6. Consider Other Treatments: For mild strabismus, glasses may be sufficient. In some cases, surgery on the eye muscles might be necessary.

Types of Eye Patches

  • Adhesive Patches: Stick directly to the skin around the eye.
  • Cloth Patches: Fit over glasses and cover the lens and the area around it.

Benefits of Using an Eye Patch

  • Strengthens the weaker eye.
  • Improves overall vision.
  • Non-invasive and cost-effective treatment.

Common Misconceptions

A common misconception is that patching will straighten the eyes. Patching improves vision in the weaker eye but does not correct eye misalignment. It's crucial to understand that while the weaker eye may appear straight when patched, this does not indicate a correction in alignment.

When to Stop Patching

Your doctor will provide guidance on when to stop patching, but it's typically after the weaker eye has shown significant improvement in vision. By that time in which the strabismic patient reach a more balanced vision, the strabismus doctor can prescribed the use of alternative and or complementary treatments to patching.

Alternative and Complementary Treatments to Strabismus Patching

Some common complementary treatments to strabismus patching, are the following:

Glasses

Sometimes glasses alone can help with mild strabismus, if the underlaying cause is represented by a refractive error.

Surgery

Since patching doesn't guarantee the alignment of the weaker eye, and in those cases where patching and glasses are not effective, strabismus surgery can be an option.

Vision Therapy

In cases where strabismus has led to diplopia and or amblyopia, it is very likely that the strabismic patient presents binocular vision dysfunction and can't achieve stereopsis. In cases like these, vision therapy is the new promising therapy that has been proved to be effective in children but also in adults, against all arguments about the lazy eye and the critical period.

A new hope for adult strabismus and lazy eye powered by VR

Strabismus, Amblyopia Virtual Reality Solution by AvalonwebVR
Equal-Eyes

Whether it's for your beautiful child or you who have been dealing with strabismus in life you can benefit from the latest at-home virtual reality Vision Therapy solution. Visual therapy is the treatment that has demonstrated the best results for adult lazy eye. Amblyopia is a binocular dysfunction, so you will surely need vision therapy to really solve the problem, start using both of your eyes, and achieve 3D perception. At AvalonWeb.com.au, we are proud to offer Equal-Eyes, our innovative VR vision therapy for adult lazy eye and binocular vision dysfunctions. This program provides an engaging platform for patients to improve their visual skills and overcome challenges associated with amblyopia and strabismus.

Note: Regular check-ups with the eye specialist are essential to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, strabismus patching is an age-old, non-invasive treatment designed to improve vision in the weaker eye. While it doesn't correct eye alignment, it remains effective, especially for children under 9. Complementary treatments like glasses, surgery, and vision therapy provide additional options for managing strabismus. Staying informed and consulting eye specialists is crucial for making the best treatment choices and achieving optimal visual health. At Equal-Eyes, we're dedicated to offering innovative solutions for better vision.

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