A medical eye patch is a medical device used in ophthalmology. What is it used for ? In what cases is it used? Here is all the information about the eye patch.

A medical eye patch or eye patch is an ophthalmology device used to treat certain eye conditions, including amblyopia (lazy eye) in children. It can also be used when performing visual tests or after ophthalmic surgery.

Composition

A medical eye patch or eye patch consists of a fabric compress with an adhesive border, most often with hypoallergenic glue or is made of silicone (the latter model is removed more easily). The eye patch or eye patch lets the skin breathe and adapts to anatomical relief.

The medical eye patch can be used by ophthalmologists to treat vision problems in children, including strabismus or amblyopia (lazy eye). With amblyopia, the seeing eye is hidden, forcing the child to use their weaker eye.

The medical eye patch is also used during visual tests to aid in the diagnosis of each eye separately.

In case of diplopia (double seeing), the use of an eye patch may help the sufferer to reduce nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness before treatment.

Finally, an eye cover can be used to protect a wound following ophthalmologic surgery or in post-trauma to the eye following an eye accident.

Public concerned or at risk

A medical eye patch or eye patch may be worn by children who have strabismus or amblyopia, by people who have diplopia, who perform eye tests, or who have had surgery.

The stages of operation

Eye patch: amblyopia

The medical eye patch is used in case of amblyopia (the child’s central vision is affected; this eye disorder which affects 3% of school children is almost always reversible provided it is detected and treated quickly). For the vision of an amblyopic child to improve, we must force the stimulation of “his lazy eye” by hiding the one who sees well. The duration and frequency of the occlusion (hiding the seeing eye) depend on the extent of the amblyopia and the age of the child. The eye patch should be put on every day, a certain number of hours a day. Follow the recommendations of the ophthalmologist.

Eye patch: visual test

During visual tests, the ophthalmologist takes the device and places it on the front of the eye to hide, then repeats the operation with the other eye.

When to use it?

In the treatment of amblyopia, the medical eye patch is placed every day, for a number of hours defined by the ophthalmologist. It can also be used during visual tests, or following ophthalmic surgery or after eye trauma.

Instructions for use of the medical eye patch

To put on an eye patch or eye patch:

• clean and dry the skin around the eye;
• relax the facial muscles by closing the eyes without frowning;
• place the dressing without stretching it, with the narrower side towards the eye;
• gently press the bandage, the warmth of your hand will ensure good adhesion.

To remove an eye patch:

• Gently peel off the outer adhesive edge of the dressing;
• hold the skin of the face with one hand and gradually peel off the bandage;
• in case of strong adhesion of the plaster, you can wet it with a damp washcloth.

The different models of eye patches for children

There are two types of eye patch:

• the adhesive eye patch is like a bandage. It sticks to the strong eye of the child, under the glasses if your child wears them;
• the fabric eye patch can be worn over or under the glasses.

To make it easier for children to accept wearing an eye patch, brands offer eye patches with patterns.