Going to School with an Eye Prosthesis

It’s an exciting moment when your child starts elementary school for the very first time—especially if your child sees with only one eye and/or wears an ocular prosthesis. We’ve compiled tips from parents of our children who see with one eye. These tips have been supplemented with additional advice from teacher Dianne de Bruin. Dianne is a teacher at an elementary school; she has firsthand experience with this and wears an ocular prosthesis.

HomeLiving with One EyeGoing to School with an Eye Prosthesis

What can you do as parents?

Talk to the teacher about the fact that your child sees with one eye and what that means for daily life. For example, you can email them the link to this page or print it out for them.

What can the teacher or school do?

If there is a problem with the good eye: Teacher’s action: call the parents immediately. It is especially important that nothing ever happens to the good eye!
If there are complaints about the nictitating membrane: Teacher’s action: Call the parents immediately.
To instill a sense of safety and trust, both at school and at home.
Be open and transparent about everything, discuss it, and involve everyone in every aspect.
Teachers should keep the rest of the school staff well informed.
Contact Bartiméus or Koninklijke Visio for additional tips and advice.
(After a while, once you all know each other well) have the other students in the class experience what it’s like to see with just one eye during gym class. Have the classmates wear an eye patch and have them catch a ball or jump down from a height. This helps children gain a better understanding, and they enjoy doing it.
When changing classrooms, let the students explore the space beforehand.

Position in the classroom

In preschool, the children usually change seats and start out in a circle.
Starting in third grade, have the child sit at the front of the classroom. However, this does depend on the child’s height.
Sit with the side facing the window or wall that has the blind. That way, the side facing outward can see everything.
Keeping the same seat in class all year long provides a sense of security. Some children don’t like sitting in the same spot all year. Ask them about this.

Safety

Have the child wear glasses during outdoor or sports activities to protect the healthy eye.
Classmates are walking around with scissors and sticks. Have the teacher point this out and keep an eye on it. Children understand this.
Pay extra attention when the children are playing outside. Have the teacher acknowledge the child by saying, “… [Name] … I see you.”
Provide extra guidance, for example, by having an intern at the gym. The children cannot perceive depth or height. Badminton and ball games, in particular, are difficult at first for children who see with only one eye.
Throwing soft balls or a balloon back and forth.
Install an extra mirror on the child’s bike.
Toddler Gym for Motor Skills Development.

If your child has low vision

Teachers can take a course through Bartiméus or Koninklijke Visio. This allows teachers to experience, by wearing different types of glasses, what it’s actually like to be visually impaired.
Make sure the school uses clear, bright colors that are easily visible.
If necessary, during outdoor play, have the teacher wear something brightly colored so that children can immediately see where the teacher is standing outside; this gives them a sense of security.

Reading with One Eye

If you’re learning to read with one eye, it may be helpful to use aids such as a bookstand, a reading magnifier, or a reading ruler.

Presentation on ocular prostheses

At the start of every school year, Ms. Dianne gives the new students in her class a special presentation about her eye prosthesis and what it’s like to see with one eye. Would you like to give a presentation about your eye prosthesis, too? Let Dianne inspire you.

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