Medical Eye Patch Bandage / Eye Patch for Lazy Eye

Eye patches are often recommended by medical professionals for individuals with certain optic-related conditions. Wearing an eye patch when it isn’t needed can actually cause undue harm instead of good, so you're best off only shopping for one if a doctor has told you to.

Why Do People Wear Medical Eye Patches?

There are several reasons why a person would wear a medical eye patch. Also known as hospital eye patches or eye patch band aids, people wear these because they have certain illnesses or conditions. Eye patches can be used to treat some eye conditions, and they can improve vision in a non-dominant eye or conserve vision in your good eye. Here are some of the most common conditions that would warrant an eye patch. 

Amblyopia

People with amblyopia are often told by their doctor to wear an eye patch. Amblyopia is when the brain uses one eye much more than the other eye. This condition is usually corrected by means of the person wearing a patch during childhood - the most frequent reason for use of children’s eye patches is amblyopia. 

When used for this purpose, they’re often referred to as lazy eye patches, or amblyopia eye patches. Since the other eye isn’t getting enough use, the same way a muscle loses its initial strength when it isn’t being utilized, the optic nerve of the eye that isn’t being used as much can become atrophied. When an ophthalmologist diagnoses someone with Amblyopia, he will often prescribe an eye patch, which will be worn on the dominant or stronger eye. Using an eye patch for a lazy eye will train the brain to ‘notice’ the less used eye, and get it used to giving the non-dominant eye more attention. 

Strabismus

Strabismus is referred to in common vernacular as a lazy eye, or a crossed eye. Strabismus is when both eyes don’t look in the same direction simultaneously; one eye is ‘lazy,’ or unable to focus properly. The lazy eye points away from centrally aligned vision. There are several kinds of strabismus - the four most common kinds are Esotropia, Exotropia, Hypertropia, and Hypotropia. Strabismus can be a symptom of amblyopia, and can cause a person to experience double vision. 

Post-Surgery

After a person undergoes eye surgery, he will usually be given one protective eye patch bandage, or, if the surgery affected both eyes, he’ll get two eye patches to wear for a day or two. The surgical eye patch will protect the eye while it is most delicate so that it can heal. 

When to Stay Away from Eye Patches

Although eye patching for adults is recommended for use by ophthalmologists in a significant number of cases, sometimes, a more long-term solution is in order. Here are a few instances where wearing an eye patch over the eye is often deemed okay for temporary use, but it shouldn’t be utilized as a permanent aid. 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is caused by high fluid pressure in the eye resulting in damage to the retina. Often, people with glaucoma try wearing an eye patch over the weaker eye, to lessen the amount of eye strain. The problem with wearing an eye patch is that although it may strengthen the weaker eye, it can cause strain in the dominant eye as well. 

Diplopia

Diplopia, or double vision is usually caused by diseases that require serious treatment, and an eye patch is not an effective cure. If someone is experiencing double vision, rather than immediately looking for an eye patch for double vision or diplopia, they should speak to an experienced ophthalmologist regarding treatment options. 

Infection

Do not use an eye patch for eye infections unless you were recommended to do so. Using an eye patch can cause the infection to worsen. Instead, visit a doctor and follow his advice. 

Can Occlusion Therapy Help Adults?

Occlusion therapy is basically the fancy name for using an eye patch to treat certain vision issues. (The word occlude means to cover; Occlusion therapy means ‘covering therapy.’) According to recent studies, there is evidence that occlusion or eye patch therapy can be helpful not only for children, but also for adults. Older patients with amblyopia have reported improved vision due to using occlusion eye patches for adults. 

Should I Get a Cloth or Adhesive Eye Patch Bandage?

A large eye patch with an adhesive is usually the more practical option, since it won’t move out of place more easily. Pirate patches should never be used instead of real eye patches, since they’re not the right size and they move around very easily. They also don’t block out enough light. Sticker eye patches are often tan-colored, and look nicer. Keep in mind that adhesive eye patch bandages are definitely the ideal option if you’re looking for eye patches for adults with glasses. The only disadvantage to using an eye patch without a strap instead of a soft eye patch is that the skin can become irritated when removing it. To help soothe the irritation, before applying a patch, gently rub Milk of Magnesia on the area around the eye where the adhesive will stick to. Essentially, whether you’re using the eye patch under glasses or not, adhesive is generally the more effective option. 

How Long Should I Wear the Eye Patch for?

According to WebMD, in most circumstances, keeping a medical grade eye patch over the eye for two hours is the same as keeping the eye patched for 6 hours straight. Find out from your doctor if this is the case in your situation.

Did your doctor recommend patching therapy? If you’re looking to buy a medical eye patch for adults (or for your kid), check out the options on AvaCare Medical today! Search our selection of adhesive and soft eye patches for adults and kids. If you have any questions regarding professional eye pads or patches, feel free to reach out: You can give us a call at 1.877.813.7799, and a customer care associate will be happy to assist you. Place your order today, and if you spend over $50, it’ll be shipped to your door free of charge.