Newborn jaundice & phototherapy - eye patches used?

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

DS didn't get eye patches to protect his eyes when he had phototherapy. That was 7 years ago. Two years ago when I had DD she was in NICU and I saw other babies having phototherapy but can't remember them having eye patches either (policy was not to look at other babies but i think I'd have noticed). Anyhow, I was wondering if eye patches are still being used or not as I was told today that they are. I'd just assumed all these years since DS (now 7) that things have changed, technology etc and eye patches are no longer needed.

they were being used 3 years ago, at a teaching hospital. they weren't all that good, they would fall off as soon as DS moved his head vigourously.

Intersting. I tried an internet search for this tonight and most articles I found mention eye patches. I was wondering if they're up-to-date. There's also some fiberoptic belts that have no need for eye patches, but they are less effective and DS definitely didn't have those. I did ask at the time about eye patching and was told it's not done.

We have NO concerns about DS's eyesight, I was just curious about this misconception I might have carried for years.

Ds was born december 2004 and had an eye patch.

Ds was born in August 2006 and had phototherapy in NICU when he was a few days old. He had his eyes covered with a big patch thing that went all the way round his head. He was 6 weeks prem though so don't know if that makes a difference.

Thank you all. It really, really helps as it's been on my mind now.

Jellyhead - yours must be one of the most satisfying jobs in the world when things go well.

both my dds have phototherapy for jaundice - one in a UK hospital and the other in an Aus hospital.

Both had eye patches. From memory dd1 (in NICU/scbu) had gauze etc wrapped around her head to stop them falling off. dd2 - can't remember but I was in a haze for about 6 weeks.

DD had phototherapy for jaundice (she's now 7) and they had a big yellow perspex arch that sat above her head, iyswim. No eye patches.

JackieNo - I know just what you mean about the yellow perspex thing but I can't believe I've blocked this out of my memory. Now I have an image of DS under the lamp with the perspex shield and I don't know if it's real or just my imagination. God, I'd make a rubbish witness. I have to ask ppl around me if they remember anything. But only DH, MIL, BIL and a friend came to see us in hospital. I'll see how good their memories are. (Your DD wasn't born at Queen Charlotte's by any chance?)

Eidsvold - no, the more I read about the eye patches/bandages the more convinced I get DS didn't have those at any stage.

No - the John Radcliffe in Oxford. We have a pic of DD with it over her.

My sil's little girl had little red glasses, like you get when you go in the solarium. Looked really cute. She is 12 but as far as I know they still use them here in Germany. We were told just to leave the cot near the window so that she got some natural light (obviously not in the sun though) so our DD did not need patches or glasses

ds was born 2002 -no eye patches used when he had phototherapy