Prevent Blindness America's Support Group For Parents

I wanted to tell everyone about a great support group on Prevent Blindness America's website. You can go to the website Prevent Blindness America or just go directly to the forum By Clicking Here

It is a really great way to know that you are not alone in your struggle with patching a child.

Have A Patching Party In Your Child's Classroom

When your child has to wear an eye patch during school hours the best way to do that is to confront it head on. Go into the classroom yourself and talk to the children about why your child is patching. Let them ask you questions about why the patch is needed and how it will help to strengthen your child's eye so that they will understand.

Then when that part is over hand out a plain sticky patch to each child in the classroom and have them decorate it for your child. (Make sure they wash their hands first.) By having each child do this then they will feel like they are part of your child's recovery process. Then bring them home and each day have your child wear a different patch to school that one of the classmates decorated. You can also bring a box of little toys/candy and each day that your child comes in with a patch on let the child who decorated that patch have one from the box. It's a really cute way to get the whole class involved. Then if someday they end up having to wear an eye patch they will already know what to do. I hope this helps.

Optometrists Network (Great Website)

I wanted to post this link to a great website for parents looking for information about Amblyopia.

(CLICK HERE TO VIEW)

Our Story Of Amblyopia

I am a mother of a child who has Amblyopia (or commonly referred to as a Lazy Eye). Since he was diagnosed 5 years ago I have found so many useful websites with so much information that I wanted to start my own blog just to help parents when their child is first diagnosed with Amblyopia or any other vision disorder.

You have to find a doctor that you like and feel comfortable with. Preferably a Pediatric Ophthalmologist or Pediatric Optometrist that you feel is going to do everything possible for your child. If you find a doctor that you think doesn't really care...get another one. If the doctor doesn't think he/she can help your child, chances are they won't.

Don't be afraid to get another opinion. Especially if they are suggesting surgery. You want to make sure that everything is being done for your child that needs to be. We went to four different Pediatric Ophthalmologists to find one that we liked the best and that worked well with our son. It makes all the difference in the world! Don't be afraid to ask questions and not be rushed through your appointment. If you feel rushed then that's not a good sign. They should take the time to talk and explain everything to you so that you and your child know what to do to make the recovery successful.

"The Eye Patch Kids" DVD for Amblyopia (Lazy Eye), Strabismus or Cataracts