The Eye Patch Club®: A Fun and Supportive Program for Families During a Child’s Amblyopia Patching Treatment!
Amblyopia, also known as "lazy eye", is a common children's eye condition resulting in reduced vision in an eye that has not received adequate use during early childhood. It is estimated that two to three percent of the general population suffers from this form of visual impairment.
"Patch" the Pup
However, with early diagnosis and treatment, sight in the lazy eye can be restored. Patching is a widely-used treatment option wherein the stronger eye is patched, forcing the "lazy" eye to work and strengthen its vision. Patching treatments range from a period of a few weeks to as long as a year or more and are highly successful in strengthening vision in the weaker eye.
A challenge that many parents face with patching, especially at the beginning of treatment, is getting a child to wear the patch for the prescribed amount of time each day. A child may find the patch strange or uncomfortable at first, be reluctant to wear it at school or when in the company of peers, or may simply not like relying on the weaker eye. However, compliance is critical to the treatment’s outcome.
In an effort to support and encourage families coping with this particular approach to treating amblyopia, Prevent Blindness America offers The Eye Patch Club, a fun and interactive program designed to reward children for patching. Upon becoming members, parents will receive a patching calendar to track a child’s treatment progress. For every day of successful patching, the parent can present the child with a sticker to place on his or her calendar. After six successive months of treatment, Prevent Blindness America will send along a prize to reward the child for wearing the patch.
In addition to the calendar, members receive The Eye Patch Club News, a newsletter featuring valuable information for parents and kids about amblyopia, pictures and stories about current Eye Patch Club members, compliance tips and more. Members are also granted access to The Eye Patch Club website where they can download coloring sheets and a curriculum guide for teachers, and participate in online Eye Patch Club activities. Families can also enroll their kids in The Eye Patch Club Birthday Card Club.
The membership fee is $12.95, including shipping and handling. For additional information and an application, please call us at 1-800-331-2020. Parents can also enroll online using a Visa or MasterCard at www.preventblindness.org/children/EyePatchClub.html.
About Prevent Blindness America
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, divisions and chapters, Prevent Blindness America is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in the United States. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020.
