Treating simple corneal abrasions with a patch does not improve healing rates on the first day post-injury and does not reduce pain. In addition, use of patches results in a loss of binocular vision.

• A Cochrane review (search date April 2005) identified 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 1014) which found evidence that patching an eye following a corneal abrasion does not improve healing or provide pain relief [Turner and Rabiu, 2006]. The overall quality of the included trials was poor. However these studies demonstrated a high level of clinical and statistical homogeneity.
• Participants were randomized to either receive a patch for 24 hours or to wear no patch. Concurrent medication was used in both treatment groups (e.g. antibiotic or cycloplegic eye drops) and the no-patch group received more concurrent medication than the patch group (three or four doses compared with one dose). The authors concluded that the results need to be interpreted with caution. Most trials are essentially comparing patch and single antibiotic treatment versus no patch and multiple antibiotic treatment, rather than simple patch versus no patch. The main results from this systematic review were:
• Healing:
• Pooled data from seven RCTs (n = 531) found that more participants showed complete healing on day 1 in the no-patch group (risk ratio [RR] 0.89, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.99).
• Pooled data from three RCTs (n = 357) found no difference between the groups on day 2 of follow up (RR 0.94, not significant, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.04).
• Pooled data from two RCTs (n = 320) found no difference between the groups on day 3 (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.11). Most of the corneal abrasions were healed regardless of which treatment option was used.
• Pain:
• Of the nine RCTs that measured pain scores, two favoured no patching and none favoured patching.