How to Make Eye Patches

An eye patch may be needed to protect the eye after a medical procedure has been performed or to allow it to heal after an injury such as a scratch. They are also sometimes used as a therapeutic aid to assist in healing or dealing with the side effects of lazy eye and extraocular muscle palsy. This eye patch design is usually preferred by doctors over a pirate-style eye patch, which does not form around the eye well to seal it off, is bulky and lifts off too easily.

Things You'll Need

• Surgical tape (2 inches wide)
• Scissors
• Gauze pad

Instructions

1. Measure off and cut a 3-inch piece of surgical tape and set it aside, sticky side up.

2. Cut a piece of gauze to size for the eye of the person wearing the patch. This should be of a size to cover just the eye within the eye socket, not over the brow.

3. Lay the gauze directly in the center of the strip of surgical tape and press it down so that it sticks. You should now have what looks like a piece of gauze with a tape backing, and a border of tape (sticky side exposed) around it.

4. Use the scissors to shape the patch to the eye and round off the corners.

5. Place the gauze part of the patch directly over the eye, and press the tape down to the skin around the eye.

References

• Factsheet - How to make an eye patch
• How to Use an Eye Patch

Resources

• Protecting Your Eyes: At Home, At Work, At Play