Patching involves placing a patch over the strong eye to force the weaker eye to be used. The use of a patch should be carefully prescribed and monitored by an ophthalmologist due to potential complications associated with patching.
The most common problem is that patching does not improve vision in the amblyopic eye. In some cases, patching can result in a reversal of the amblyopia - the previously good eye becomes impaired while the treated eye improves.
Lastly, some children may develop strabismus after patching. In general, however, treating the amblyopia is still the more important consideration.