How to Tape Eyes Closed (For Children)

A young Facial Palsy UK volunteer with bilateral facial palsy (paralysis on both sides of the face) kindly agreed to show other children how to tape their eyes closed at night. The tape being used in this information video is 3M Transpore tape™. Two methods of taping the eyes shut are shown in the video below.

If parents prefer to view these instructions in pictures rather than video please scroll to the bottom of this page.

Please note: If your child’s eye specialist has recommended you use eye drops or ointment such as lacrilube, excess ointment may prevent the tape from sticking properly. Please refer to your eye specialist for advice regarding eye care if you are having trouble taping your eyes closed.

*Important note: The team at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead who made this video are now recommending patients use Siltape for eyelid taping overnight as it’s more gentle to remove. With Siltape you need to close the eye with your finger, hold it closed and then apply the tape making sure you press down from inner eye to outer eye so you don’t get air pockets.

Alternative eye taping instruction video for adults.

Video Transcription

Volunteer: Hello I’m going to show you how to tape your eye closed before going to bed. There are two ways to do this and this is the first way. Take a bit of Transpore* tape like this.

Take the end and turn over a little bit. Now Vanessa is going to show you how to put the tape on.

Therapist: Okay, I want you to close your eyes and then I am going to tap your eye shut. Okay close your eyes. I’m just going to tap it shut so keep both eyes closed. Now I’m going to get the tape and I’m going to start from the corner nearest your nose and I am going to press the tape down right into the corner. Then I am going to keep your eye closed with my other finger and bring the tape across like that. Now turn and face the camera, keep your eyes closed and now open your eyes.

When you take the tape off, you have got to think about taking the skin away from the tape and not the tape away from the skin. So we’re going to be really gentle and we’re going to pick up the bit here. And we’re going to tap the skin off like that, keeping the skin nice and still. Excellent, show everybody that you are fine. Did it hurt? No. Good…

Volunteer: This is the second way to tape your eye closed. First you get a thin piece of tape and you turn the end over like you did with the big piece. Now Vanessa is going to show you how to put the tape on.

Therapist: I’m going to put this piece of tape underneath your bottom eyelashes so I am going to start with the tape close to your nose and then I am going to lift the tape up underneath your eyelashes like this. I’m going to get another piece of tape, do you want to hold it and turn the end over like you did last time? Now I am going to ask you to close your eyes. I’m just going to tap your eyelid closed again just like we did before. So keep it nice and closed and then I am going to put the tape on in exactly the same way as I did before, over the top. Turn and face the camera. Excellent.. We’re going to take it off in exactly the same way, so we’re going to remember about taking the skin away from the tape, like that. That’s that done. Then the same here, skin away from the tape. Excellent, well done.

Volunteer: That was really good and it didn’t hurt at all, good luck.

Eye taping instructions in pictures

Method One

Step 1: Before going to bed, take a strip of Transpore tape (3M Transpore tape™).

Step 2: Take the end and turn over a little bit.

Step 3: Close your eyes and tap your eye shut whilst keeping both eyes closed. (You may need someone to help you with this bit).

Step 4: Get the tape and start from the corner nearest your nose and press the tape down right into the corner.

Step 5: Keep your eye closed with your other finger and bring the tape across.

Step 6: To make sure it has worked, keep your eyes closed and then try to open them.

Removal: When you take the tape off, you have to think about taking the skin away from the tape and not the tape away from the skin. Being really gentle, pick up the bit that was folded over and tap the skin away from the tape as you peel it off.

Method 2

Step 1: First you get a thinner piece of tape and you turn the end over like you did with the bigger piece.

Step 2: Put this piece of tape underneath your bottom eyelashes. Starting with the tape close to your nose, lift the tape up underneath your eyelashes.

Step 3: Get another piece of tape, hold it and turn the end over like last time.

Step 4: Close your eyes. Tap your eyelid closed again just like before. Keep it closed and put the tape on in exactly the same way as before, over the top. Take it off in exactly the same way, so remember about taking the skin away from the tape.

Externally Linked Articles:

Parents & Carers Facebook Group (Ext. Link - opens in new window)

Private Facebook support group for parents and carers of children with facial palsy, operated by Facial Palsy UK.

Last reviewed: 05-12-2023    ||    Next review due: 05-12-2025