Kids and Eye Patches

Little Eyes, Galactic Dreams

Why the Eye Patch?

This summer, the new Disney/Pixar animated movie Elio takes us on an incredible intergalactic adventure. The main character, Elio Solis, wears an eye patch. Could Elio have amblyopia? Did he injure himself playing sports? Does he like to pretend he is a pirate? What do eye patches mean for children in real life? On this page, Prevent Blindness answers common questions asked by parents and caregivers.

a cartoon rocket

What is Amblyopia?

Amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye,” is the most common cause of vision loss in children. It has many causes, but it generally occurs when there is an issue with one or both eyes causing the brain to prefer the image it receives from one eye over the other.

Ambylopia Eye Patching

To treat amblyopia, the better eye is often patched to force the weaker eye to become stronger. Help your child understand why their eye patch is important so treatment is successful.

Amblyopia can be caused by :

• A misalignment of a child’s eyes (strabismus)
• Unequal refractive error between eyes (one eye focusing better than the other)
• A difference in image quality between the two eyes from high refractive error
• Other, less common causes include cataract or ptosis (a drooping eyelid)

Early detection and treatment of amblyopia is critical. Untreated, or treated too late, amblyopia can lead to permanent loss of vision in one or both eyes.

Find out more about Amblyopia

Talk to your child about eye patches and make patching fun for them! Here are ideas for them to get to know their favorite character, Elio, and learn about eye health:

Chat about it. Ask your child what they think about Elio wearing the eye patch. Talk about the importance of eye exams and wearing an eye patch when needed.
Do it together. Pick a date in your family calendar together to do a “galactic” vision screening or eye exam together.

Helpful Hints for Ambyopia Treatment

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Helpful Hints for Amblyopia and Patching

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Amblyopia Videos

Andrew’s Eyes: A Conversation with the Mentzer Family

Dr. Sandra Block on Children’s Vision, Amblyopia, and Patching

Elaina and Cooper on Wearing an Eye Patch

Jayden Zoll on His Eye Health Journey and Patching

Zaina and Aleeya on Wearing Eye Patches

Strabismus

Strabismus (struh·biz·muhs) is an eye condition where the eyes are not straight or do not line up with each other. The misalignment is caused by eye muscles that do not work together. One eye, or sometimes both, may turn in, turn out, turn up or turn down. It may only appear when a child is tired or not feeling well. Uncorrected strabismus may develop amblyopia.

Find out more about Strabismus

an alien in its spacecraft. The alien is wearing an eye patch.

Refractive Errors

The most common vision disorders in children are refractive errors—myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Myopia (my-OH-pea-uh), or nearsightedness, is a vision condition in which near objects are in focus, but distant objects appear blurred – such as roadway signs, the board at school, faces, or the television set across the room.

Find out more about myopia

Hyperopia (hi-per-OH-pea-uh), or farsightedness, is a vision condition in which near objects– such as books, menus, or a smartphone- appear blurred, but distant objects remain clear.

Find out more about hyperopia

Astigmatism (uh-STIG-muh-tiz-um) is a refractive error caused by a change in the shape of the cornea- the clear part in the front of the eye. Astigmatism is a common vision issue that causes blurred vision at all distances.

Find out more about astigmatism

Your Child's Glasses

It's important that children wear their glasses exactly as prescribed by the eye doctor. Ask for help if your child needs glasses to see well at school or away from home....

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Preventing eye injuries in children

Children might wear eye patches for the treatment of eye injuries. But most eye injuries can be prevented by following age recommendations for toys, through safety practices, and the use of proper eye protection.

The most common causes of eye injuries are:

Misuse of toys
Sports
Falls from beds, against furniture, on stairs, and when playing with toys
Misuse of everyday tools and objects (work and garden tools, knives and forks, pens and pencils)
Contact with harmful household products (detergents, paints, glues, etc.)
Automobile accidents

Avoid play and costumes with eye patches, masks, wigs, floppy hats, that block vision.

Protecting young children from eye injuries at home and at play

Play It Safe!

Protect your child from eye injuries at home and at play....

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How can you protect your child’s vision?

Take your child to the eye doctor when:

You notice signs of a vision problem, such as rubbing eyes, squinting, bringing books and screens very close to the face, or complaints of “tired eyes”.

Signs of possible vision problems

Your child is recommended for an eye exam as a result of a vision screening or if a teacher has concerns.
Your child has a risk factor for eye disease or eye problems.
Your state, child’s school, or childcare program requires an eye exam

Find out more about vision screenings and eye exams

Taking Your Child to the Eye Doctor

The following information will help you learn more about when to take your child to an eye doctor and how to make the most of your child’s eye doctor appointment....

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Support the EDVI Act

EDVI Act - Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act

Because we believe every kid deserves good eye care, Prevent Blindness is supporting the passage of a law currently being considered by Congress—The Early Detection of Vision Impairment for Children Act (or EDVI). When passed, the EDVI Act will support schools, early childhood professionals, health care providers, public health professionals, and families with updated and evidence-based vision screening methods, improve referrals to eye care, and advance follow-up protocols to ensure that children who need eye care treatment receive it before a vision problem leads to potential vision loss.