The Reaction of Strangers to Eye Patches

Shortly after Alma’s eye surgery, we began her course of vision therapy treatment using adhesive eye patches. Alma and her skin had to take time to adjust to this, as did we and other family members.

 

We found out rather quickly that it was easier to leave the eye patch on when we were out and about, as she was often preoccupied with whatever was going on around her. Whether we were shopping, collecting the children from kindergarten etc., she was completely focused on her surroundings. There were many comments and questions, both from parents and, in particular, children. I mean, they just say whatever they were thinking …🙂

I remember one day especially … I was on the way into the shop with Alma in the buggy, when I passed a mother and her son on the way out of the shop. The boy turned around to take another look at Alma and asked his mother why she was wearing an eye patch. The mother gave him a gentle tap quickly to get him to continue his way out of the shop, adding the comment: “You mustn’t ask those sorts of questions.” 

 

If I could do it again differently, I would have stopped them. The boy’s question was perfectly natural, and I would hate for him to think that it was wrong to ask. He was completely entitled to be curious.  

 

A few months ago, my boys visited a vision therapist. She said that the best piece of advice she can give parent’s with a child who has to wear an adhesive eye patch is to make sure they are not cut off from the rest of the world when eye patch training. Instead, focus should be placed on ensuring the outside world becomes a normal part of life. 

 

I totally agree! Precisely because I am not ashamed about Alma’s eye patch, I would have stopped to give the boy an answer to his question. I do not want Alma to grow up being embarrassed about wearing an eye patch, or of her eye that occasionally tremors. It is what makes her unique. It is only natural for people to not be completely perfect. Openness is exactly what is needed to prevent this from becoming a taboo subject for her, but rather a subject she is comfortable with and understands. In addition, I also think that through openness, our story about congenital cataracts can inform others – this is an overlooked eye disorder that requires much more attention by GPs etc., so that children with eye disorders can get the best possible help to ensure eyesight as good as possible in the future.