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3M Opticlude Orthoptic Eye Patch
TM
TM
Orthoptist & Parent Handbook
The
Comfortable
solution
sensitive problem
to a
your guide to understanding and
treating amblyopia, strabismus
and visual abnormalities
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Product Information
3M™ Opticlude™ Orthoptic Eye Patches are designed and custom engineered for the treatment of
amblyopia, more commonly referred to as ‘lazy eye’. Amblyopia can develop as the result of common
childhood conditions such as strabismus (squint/cross eye) or refractive error (need for glasses).
Tried, proven and trusted through years of use by Orthoptists across Europe, Opticlude orthoptic eye
patches provide a comfortable treatment solution to amblyopia. Worn over the preferred eye, the eye
patch encourages the weaker eye to function and the vision to develop.
Breathable, hypoallergenic and latex free, Opticlude patches are easily applied and removed with
minimal skin irritation. A central, absorbent pad also reduces stickiness from eye secretions.
Opticlude ‘Boys and Girls’ orthoptic eye patches now offer new and exciting designs in both Standard
and Junior sizes, providing a more interesting and engaging option when treating signs of amblyopia,
strabisumus and undertaking occlusion therapy.
The Anatomy of the Eye
Iris
Pupil
Vitreous Humor
Retina
Macula
Fovea
Optic Nerve
Inferior oblique
muscle
Inferior rectus
muscle
Eyelid
Sclera
The eye functions much like a camera with two lenses. The first lens
is the cornea, a clear membrane that covers the front of the eye.
The second lens is the eye’s natural crystalline lens, which is located
behind the pupil. The cornea is responsible for about 70 percent of
the eye’s focusing power, while the natural lens ‘fine-tunes’ the image
before it is focused on the retina at the back of the eye. If both lenses
are working properly, the
Superior rectus muscle
Superior oblique
image is focused precisely on
muscle tendon
the surface of the retina for a
clear, crisp picture.
The retina works like the film
in a camera, receiving light
Lens
images and sending them
through the optic nerve to the
Iris
brain. The visual cortex in the
Pupil
back of the brain combines
Cornea
the two images into a single
picture for binocular (twoConjunctiva
eyed) vision.
Sclera
Your Child’s Condition Explained
Amblyopia
Amblyopia is the most common cause of poor vision in children with an estimated prevalence of
1-5%1. A lazy eye is caused by an interruption of normal visual development during childhood,
resulting in poor vision of the eye.
The visual system develops during childhood, with most development taking place in early childhood.
Amblyopia needs to be treated in the early years of childhood, as once visual development is complete,
no treatment can be given. If amblyopia is not treated in childhood it could lead to permanent loss of
sight which cannot be corrected in later life1.
It is not always obvious that a child suffers from amblyopia; therefore it is important that the child is
examined by a trained eye professional. National eye-test programmes vary from region to region and
are usually performed at school entry, at the age of 4 or 5. Where there is no local vision screening
available, the child can still have an eye test free of charge on the NHS with an Optometrist.
Signs of Amblyopia
Even though the condition may not be obvious, symptoms may be recognised according to the way the
child plays. The child may be quite clumsy, knocking over objects, not be able to grab objects thrown
to them or walking into things. These indicate that their depth perception is not optimal. Furthermore,
they may be tilting their head to one side which might show an eye muscle imbalance.
Strabismus
Any condition that affects normal visual development or use of the eyes may cause amblyopia. The
most common cause of amblyopia is strabismus, also called ‘cross eye’ or squint. Strabismus is an
imbalance of the position of the eyes which causes the eyes to turn out (exotropia), turn in (esotropia),
turn up (hypertropia) or turn down (hypotropia). Amblyopia can also develop if a child needs glasses,
especially if there is a difference in the glasses prescription between the two eyes, or where a cataract
(abnormality of the lens of the eye) occurs.
Treatment
Therapy
Amblyopia can be treated by using an eye patch to cover the “good” eye and force your child to use
their lazy eye. The aim of this treatment is to encourage the lazy eye to start working and stimulate
vision. This then helps the part of the brain that manages sight to further develop. The patching can
last from a few hours a day to all day patching, and treatment can continue for a few months or
for several years, depending on the severity of the condition and the compliance of your child. It is
therefore very important that prescribed treatment is followed and that your child is encouraged to
wear the patch.
Don’t give up! The beliefs that children with amblyopia do improve during treatment is substantiated
with evidence 2, 3. Treatment of the amblyopia itself involves stopping the healthy eye from seeing
temporarily so that vision is stimulated in the lazy eye. The most common treatment used is occlusion
therapy, also known as patching.
Application & Removal
Application
The 3MTM OpticludeTM Orthoptic Eye Patch should be applied to a clean, dry area of skin with the eye
closed and face muscles relaxed. The eye should remain closed so that the whole eye area can be
covered. Remove the protective paper and gently apply the Opticlude eye patch, with the narrow end
towards the nose, ensuring that the adhesive part of the pad is in contact with the skin. Make sure
your child cannot peep around the outside of the patch!
Secure the pressure sensitive adhesive tape by applying light pressure with fingertips around the
outside of the eye patch.
Opticlude eye patches are single use products and should be changed according to the prescriber’s
recommendation.
Should your child have sensitive skin, consider using 3M™ Cavilon™ Durable Barrier Cream around
the eye socket to prevent any possible redness or irritation.
Removal
Starting at the nose side of the patch; slowly peel back the edges toward the centre of the pad
loosening the outer edges of the eye patch.
Gently peel back the pad and the remaining tape, ensuring this is done so that the patch is pulled back
over itself and kept close to the skin. Removing the eye patch at an angle will pull the skin surface and
increase the risk of redness and irritation.
As the patch is removed, continue to support the newly exposed skin.
For a patch that is strongly adhered, you may consider using a medical grade adhesive remover or
moisturiser (approved for use around the eye) such as 3M™ Cavilon™ Durable Barrier Cream, to
soften the adhesive along the peel edge.
Fun Activities whilst Patching
Tips for Patching Compliance!
Helping your child understand why the patch is needed affords them not only education, but gives
them additional motivation. In order to help your child comply with their patching schedule, reward,
support, and reassure them so that he or she can develop the best vision possible.
Detailed below are a selection of top tips compiled from experts and us here at the Opticlude team!
Information is Key!
Providing information for not only your child, but also friends and family, is an effective start to
ensuring patching success!
Talk to your child prior to beginning any patching regime. Explain as best as possible that the patch is
needed to help improve their vision in the affected eye.
Get family and friends on board by explaining your child’s condition to them and ask for their support.
They may even offer new suggestions on how to help make the treatment successful.
Make sure you explain your child’s condition to nursery staff or teachers if your child is in day
care or school. Often they will be very helpful in explaining why your child is wearing the patch to
classmates or peers. This will greatly elevate the level of acceptance and can help your child feel more
comfortable about wearing the patch at day care or in school.
Establish Clear Ground Rules
Try to avoid power struggles over patch wearing times by setting clear guidelines and realistic
expectations. Your child will probably be more receptive if there is some sort of limit on patch
wearing time.
• Your orthoptist or doctor should tell you when your child must wear the patch and for how long.
Try to explain this schedule to your child.
• Set clear outlines regarding the consequences around removing the patch, as well as rewarding
the child for keeping the patch on without complaints or difficulties.
• Consider introducing a rule that only parents (or caregivers and teachers) can touch the patch
when it is on.
• If your patching schedule requires your child to wear the patch for only part of the time, use a clock
or a timer to mark when the patch is put on—and when it can come off. This will give your child
some well-defined limits and can also help avoid making you the ‘bad guy’ for making sure the
patch stays on for the required time.
Be Supportive
Wearing a patch can be difficult and uncomfortable. By providing support and reassurance, you can
help your child comply with their occlusive patching treatment.
• You can use the 3MTM OpticludeTM Reward Certificates (downloadable from www.opticlude.co.uk)
to give children incentives for patching. (Please visit our website www.opticlude.co.uk for more
details).
• Encourage support from family, friends, and classmates. Offer suggestions on ways they can help
make the treatment successful.
• 3M, the maker of Opticlude patches, is driving patch acceptance through hosting a number of
‘Patching Parties,’ at orthoptic and ophthalmic departments around the UK. Please visit our website,
www.opticlude.co.uk or ask your local hospital for more details. Orthoptists can also enter
competitions to win sponsorship towards hosting their very own patching party. Simply subscribe
to either the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS) or the International Journal for Ophthalmic
Practioners (IJOP) and keep an eye out for competitions!
Try to make Patch Time Fun!
Joe and Rosie, our cartoon parrots love wearing their patches and they would like your children to as
well! Try to associate fun activities with patch wearing and perhaps, in some cases, restrict some fun
games to be played only during patch wearing times, so that your child associates patching with fun!
• Spending some time with your child immediately after the patch has been put on and playing fun
games can help make the transition easier. This is because the brain takes approximately 10-15
minutes to adjust to having the dominant eye covered.
• Try to spend as much one on one time with your child as possible whilst
they are wearing the patch. This will help take their mind off the patch
itself, and furthermore they will really appreciate the time you spend
with them. Try to find games and activities that capture your child’s
attention and make the affected eye work harder.
• If your child uses standard plain Opticlude patches then there
is the option for them to decorate them using the free rub offs
provided or by emailing the Opticlude team at www.opticlude.
co.uk and visiting the ‘Contact Us’ page. If you would prefer predesigned patches with funky fruit and perilous pirate designs then
why not try Opticlude Boys and Girls patches!
Fun & Games for Everyone!
For patching to be fun yet still achieve the desired results, your child’s weak eye has to be made
to work harder while the normal eye is patched.
Games and activities that require visual acuity and hand-eye coordination work well.
• Start with simple activities. At first, your child’s coordination may not be good because the brain is
still learning how to use the weaker eye. Easy activities will help build your child’s confidence and
willingness to wear the patch.
Joe & Rosie’s Top Ten Activities!
1 Patching Parties
2 Jigsaw Puzzles
3 Pasta playtime. Put a large container of pasta in the kitchen for your child to play with whilst you cook. (Better for children over 3 years)
4 Catch (throwing or rolling) a ball
5 BUBBLES
6 Colouring in pictures. (You can use your own or download many variations at
www.opticlude.co.uk) These can then be stuck into a scrapbook
7 Reading (picture books) and talking about the book/pictures
8 Games Page. (There are many fun games on here that build
hand eye coordination)
9 Pin the Opticlude tail on the parrot
10 Playing on age appropriate video games
If you require any further assistance or information please either visit our website,
www.opticlude.co.uk or talk to your local orthoptist for details.
“Keep Patching. Good Luck from the Opticlude team!”
Ordering Information
Orthoptist Ordering Information
Available to order from Bunzl Health Care.
Product Name
Order Code
Size
Order Units
3MTM OpticludeTM Junior
NM1537
5.0 x 6.0 cm
20 patches
NM1539
5.7 x 8.0 cm
20 patches
NM2537PE
5.0 x 6.0 cm
30 patches
NM2539PE
5.7 x 8.0 cm
30 patches
Orthoptic Eye Patch
3MTM OpticludeTM Standard
Orthoptic Eye Patch
3MTM OpticludeTM “Boys and
Girls” Junior Orthoptic
Eye Patch
3MTM OpticludeTM “Boys and
Girls” Standard Orthoptic
Eye Patch
Tel. 0161 877 5047
Email: [email protected]
Parent Ordering Information
Available to order from www.3MSelect.com
and now available from www.amazon.co.uk.
Please visit these websites for further information.
References:
1. Amblyopia. J M Holmes, M P Clark. The Lancet, Vol 367, Pages 1343 - 1351, 22 April 2006.
2. Amblyopia: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Options: Carolyn Wu & David G. Hunter American Journal of Ophthalmology Vol 141
Issue 1 January.
3. Clarke M, Richardson S, Hrisos S, et al. The UK amblyopia treatment trial: visual acuity and stereoacuity values in treated and
untreated unilateral straight eyed amblyopia. In: de Faber J-T, ed. 9th meeting of the International Strabismological Association.
Sydney, Australia: Swets & Zeitlinger, 2003: 167-168.
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3M Health Care Limited
3M House, Morley Street
Loughborough
Leicestershire LE11 1EP
Tel: 01509 611611
Fax: 01509 237288
www.3m.co.uk/healthcare
3M Ireland
The Iveagh Building,
The Park,
Carrickmines,
Dublin 18
(01) 2803555
Fax (01) 2711676
3M, Opticlude and Cavilon are trademarks
of the 3M Company. ©3M 2011.
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