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eye patches and lazy eyesChildren with "lazy eyes" do not need to wear an eye patch all day to correct their vision, say experts.
Children with the common eye disorder amblyopia, commonly known as "lazy eye", have one eye which does not see properly despite wearing glasses. The condition can lead to vision loss.
The standard way to treat the problem is to have the child wear a patch over the good eye for a period of time each day, forcing the other eye to become stronger.
In the past doctors have recommended for children to wear a patch for years. However, the medical profession now believe wearing an eye patch for just three hours a day for 12 weeks is sufficient.
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Researchers from City University in London studied eighty children with the condition. They were told to wear their patch for either six or 12 hours a day. They also monitored how often the children actually did wear the patch.
They found wearing the patch for three to six hours a day was just as effective as wearing it for six to 12 hours a day. They also discovered children under four required much less time wearing a patch than older youngsters.
Health researcher Catherine Stewart, of City University, London, and colleagues said: "This analysis suggests achieving an initial dose rate of three to four hours a day should be a clinical priority.
"But the response depends on age, so for children under four years this could be reduced. Patching beyond twelve weeks did not confer additional benefit.
"Eye patching can cause considerable distress for both the child and family, so doctors should try to minimise the amounts necessary for the best expected outcome."
The study was published online by the British Medical Journal.
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