Having worn glasses since third grade and having endured the inevitable taunts of "four eyes" and other names that I will not mention, it was with great concern that our children would have similar eye problems as they got older.
My daughter had to get glasses when she was very young and had to wear a patch as well when she turned six for lazy eye correction.
She survived the trauma of the ugly light brown patch being taped over her eye for several hours at a time but has had no issues with her eyes other than having to wear corrective lenses since then.
Our children are now twelve, nine and six and had never exhibited any of the symptoms that can lead one to believe that their child might have amblyopia or lazy eye syndrome.
Those symptoms include headaches, depth perception issues and eyes not focusing together and difficulty tracking things in motion.
Although my middle child, Lexi, is definitely a bit clumsy - she is not the most coordinated child, it is not due to amblyopia.
My daughter remembers, even at the tender age of six, not wanting to wear the "patch" at all and if she could get away with not wearing it she would avoid it.
Today there are patching clubs and groups for parents to share their concerns and successes and there are a number of companies that make patches in fun colors with great embroidered designs.
Most of these patches are designed to go over your glasses and are available in right or left, all the colors of the rainbow and in themes to satisfy the likes of any child.
You can buy patches for kids who like sports, animals, dinosaurs, insects, and themed patches like pirates, knights, princesses and seasonal patches for spring, summer, winter and fall.
Custom patches are even available on some websites.