Strategy 1: Explanation/Education
It is necessary for the amblyopic child to understand the necessity/importance of patching and to explain the positive outcome of patching on visual acuity and the possible consequences if not complying with patching regimen therapy.
Strategy 2: Rewards
Providing rewards to children undergoing patching therapy is proven to help with compliance issues and leads to better visual acuity outcome. Gift rewards (games, sunglasses, stuffed animals; but not limited to the above choices; if funds are sufficient) or incentive (watching TV while patching, performing a task a child likes while patching) are types of rewards that can help with amblyopia treatment.
Strategy 3: Normalization Strategies/Enlisting The Help Of Others
The burden of being different or perceived as ‘different’ because you wear a patch can take its emotional toll on children with amblyopia. Education of parents, teachers and school nurses on patching can have a positive effect in children and will make it more acceptable to wear the patch. In addition, reading books where the character is patching or reading other’s success stories can help aid in normalizing wearing the patch.
Strategy 4: Customizing The Patch
Many authors mentioned that customizing the eye patch or letting a child choose the eye patch they want to wear was found to be helpful in giving children a measure of control and ownership and eventually helped with compliance of wearing the patch.
Strategy 5: Establishing A Routine
Integrating the wearing of the patch into well-structured routines has been proven to be successful when patching in children with amblyopia.