By Jody Johnson-Pettit
When Quebec mom Lyse-Anne Roy found out that her three-year-old son Zacharie would have to wear a therapeutic eyepatch, she began researching what products were available on the market.
She didn’t like what she found.
“They were cumbersome, unattractive and poorly adapted to a child’s day-to-day life. I didn’t want an eyepatch that drew attention to my son’s medical problem,” she says.
Dr. Patch’s Lyse-Anne Roy and her son Zacharie.
So Roy, a graphic designer by trade, invented Dr. Patch, a reusable, residue-free patch that is affixed directly on the eyeglass lens. She began selling the product in 2009. Two years ago, Dr. Patch launched a new total occlusion eyepatch, which is a silicone product that attaches to the inside of a lens with a suction cup. Self-adhesive, reusable eyepatch stickers can then be added to the front of the lens for a cool, fun look.
“We have cool eyepatches that are comfortable, unique and reusable,” says Roy, president of Dr. Patch.
“To accompany our total occlusion eyepatch, we have developed a kit that will help kids participate actively in their own treatment. All of the products have been created to make the treatment fun for the children, encouraging them to participate and reinforcing
their self-esteem.”
There are many cool sticker designs to choose from — everything from kitten and puppy-themed patches to Christmas-themed stickers.
The company also makes patches for adults.
Patching is a way to treat amblyopia and strabismus.
The treatment is designed to force the brain to acknowledge data received from the problem eye.
Visit www.drpatch.ca to find out more.
EYE-LIDS
The Ontario-based company Eye-Lids manufactures and sells washable flannel eye patches in many cool designs.
Eyelids
There are a few types of patches, ones that attach to glasses – with or without nose pieces – and a pirate style that includes a soft elastic band. The most popular styles include Spiderman, Batman, sports, glitter dots, Frozen and Paw Patrol.
“When children have to wear an eye patch, it is very difficult to help them to understand that when they do patch, it is going to help their eyesight improve. If we can put some fun into the process, it makes it a little easier for everyone,” says Lisa Smith, owner of Eye-Lids. “We have found that when children have a say in what they have to wear, or are able to have some choice about their patches, it is a huge motivator for them.”
Visit www.eye-lids4kids.com for more information.
PATCH PALS
Like Lyse-Anne Roy, Iowa mom Cathy Thompson began designing and selling colourful and fun eye patches for kids after her child was diagnosed with a condition that required patching.
Patch Pals
“My daughter Mackenzie needed to wear an eye patch 20 years ago so I created some fun colourful eye patches to encourage her to keep the eye patch on,” she says. “At the time there were only the Band Aid styles that were tan and sticky and they drew negative attention to her eye plus they were rough on her skin.”
Thompson created Patch Pals, which now sells a variety of patches for babies, children and adults.
Children can choose patches in their favourite colour or with designs like butterflies, dinosaurs, flowers and sports.
“We created Patch Pals and we made them colourful with fun designs, so when Mackenzie went out in public people commented on how cute her eye patch was, not the fact that she was wearing a patch,” says Thompson.
Patch Pals offer an eyeglass eye patch, pocket eye patch, cotton eye patch and a poggle eye patch.
Visit www.patchpals.com for more information.
