In approximately 80% of children the visual improvement is maintained for at least a year after patching is stopped. Recurrence of the amblyopia is more likely to occur if patching is stopped Suddenly, if the amblyopic eye is much more long sighted than the good eye (anisometropic amblyopia) or when the amblyopia is a combination of strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia. This is why it is important to continue monitoring the vision until the child is 8-9 years of age, so any recurrence of the amblyopia can be treated.