helping recently visually impaired toddler

[MamaLaMoo]

Hi,

my DD just turned 3 has recently damaged her right eye, the result of a massive infection after a penetrating eye injury is severe corneal scarring with the associated irregular astigmatism and occlusion. Her acuity in that eye is now poor even with the new spectacles she has just been given by the eye hospital.

The plan is to patch the good eye and leave her with just the damaged eye to see with to correct amblyopia that has occurred during the acute infection as she couldn't see with that eye at all for a while.

Does anyone have tips, experience and advise to give regarding helping a small child with poor vision manage around the house and out and about? Does anyone know of a book which explains patching for children?

We have tried RNIB, Oxfordshire Association for the Blind, local visual impairment team of social services (useless), our health visitor and have tried and failed to get anyone from Look on the phone. Argh!

have you tried the vi team that are part of education, they'd probably be the best people, you're looking for mention of QTVI (qualified teacher of the visually impaired). There's also nbcs and victa you can try. I'm not aware of any books but you could try google images for happy kids with patches on, the eye patch companies have their own sites where you can download reward charts and tips etc here for eg.

as for managing around the house, just make sure (as much as you can with a 3 yo!) the floors are as clutter free as possible. There's a good chance that she may have trouble with her depth perception, she may not see steps or curbs easily or may see steps when there isn't one and it's just a change in floor colour and walking through doorframes may cause bouncing from side to side!

she may be fine with the patches, but just in case, all forms of bribery and corruption may be needed as a back up plan You may find she'll wear the patch easily or you may need to build up the time gradually, a box of toys that only comes out when the patch is on can be useful. Good luck

I have to patch my DS who is 2 for amblyopia. Please feel free to pm if I can help.