Occlusion or ‘patching’ therapy may be recommended for a child after retinoblastoma eye-salvage treatment, to improve vision in one eye.
If the child requires glasses, occlusion therapy usually begins once the child is successfully wearing them all the time.
Learn more about occlusion therapy in the following guide, which was prepared by Sandra Staffieri, orthoptist and Retinoblastoma Care Co-Ordinator, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Australia, together with WE C Hope Child Life Specialist, Morgan Livingstone.
Part 1 – Introduction to Occlusion Therapy (Eye Patching)
- What Causes Amblyopia?
- What Is The Aim Of Occlusion Therapy?
- When Should We Try Occlusion Therapy?
Part 2 – Preparing to Patch
- What Can I Use To Patch The Eye?
- What If My Child Can’t Wear A Patch?
- Will Patching Fix The Eye Turn/Strabismus/Squint?
- How Quickly Will The Vision Improve and When Do We Stop?
- How Much Is Too Much Patching?
- Why Can’t We Wait Until My Child Is Older And Can Understand Their Need To Wear The Patch?
- My Child Has Already Endured So Much Treatment – How Do I Do This Too?
Part 3 – Support Your Patching Child
- How Do I Fit This into Our Busy Schedule?
- My Child Says They Can’t See…
- My Child Doesn’t Like Wearing It – What Do I Do?
Part 4 – Eye Patching – Just For Kids!
- Time to Talk About Patching
- What Kind of Patchers Are There?
- Patching Time Activities
- What If I Find Patching Difficult?
