Why are eye patches usually a blaringly obvious BLACK?

Question

Why are eye patches almost always black (cup as well as strap)? Obviously, a patch is nothing to be ashamed of. HOWEVER, it's also not necessarily something you want to jump out at people as the first thing they notice about you! I must admit, it's hard not to inadvertantly stare at a big black patch -- it's just stands out so starkly! I've even seen young kids act AFRAID of people with black eye patches, sadly. :(

Why aren't more patch/strap sets produced in beige (for folks of Caucasian or lighter Asian descent) or brownish (for folks of African, Indian or darker Hispanic descent)?? I actually HAVE SEEN patches in beige, and they were so 'discreet' that I almost didn't even notice at first! They looked so good! :) I just don't understand why more folks don't use such patch/strap sets? Do they enjoy being stared at? Do they enjoy scaring little kids? I'd think NOT. Or perhaps the problem is that such patches aren't readily available -- and if that's the case, why not?

Answer 1

I loved Jess' answer above, kids are amazing with what they are afraid of vs. enthralled by. I think if I ever had to wear an eye patch I would do the same thing, and say "aargh!" a lot.



But to answer your original question, I think it is mostly for the same reason that Henry Ford made his first product available in "any color, so long as it's black". Black is one of those universally acceptable colors that is cheap and plentiful. Not to mention that not everyone who wears an eye patch has lost an eye, sometimes it for an injury and black will block the light better than any other color.

Answer 2

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Dear Mr. Nandi Hollywood seems to have invented the image . Pirate wearing an eye patch seems to have come from the 1950's Treasure Island picture which portrayed the pirates with an eye patch, parrot, wooden leg, etc. Another theory: the eye patch stereotype predates the "Golden Age of Piracy" by some 200 years. Up until the 1500s one of the key tools of maritime navigation was the cross staff, which required the navigator to look directly into the sun at high noon. This led to a lot of sailor/navigators who were partially blind in one eye. After significant sight loss, many would likely have taken to wearing an eyepatch over the afflicted eye. By the 1500s other tools like the back staff had been invented which eliminated the need to look directly into the sun, but by then the sailor/eyepatch image had snuck into public consciousness.

Answer 3

I really think the stigma with eye patches comes from what is portrayed in movies and on TV... its always the "bad guy" or the pirate wearing them. When in reality they are worn for medical reasons.

From what I've seen personally is that eye patches come in various styles and colors. I actually wore a pink eye patch with a black strap when I was a child to correct lazy eye (I hated it). I think the color of the eye patch people wear is either a personal choice or what was available at the particular store were they bought it from. Also the generic black patches are typically cheaper.

I do not think anyone actually enjoys being stared at.... If you are wearing an eyepatch regardless of what color it needs to be worn and there is not much that person can do about it.

Answer 4

Back in ye olden tymes, there was no such thing as GPS receivers, sextants, atomic clocks or accurate maps. Even the timepieces, maps and compasses that were available at the time (required tools for accurate ocean navigation) were rudimentary at best. Pirates are notorious for raping, pillaging and robbery. They often boarded vessels and stole anything of value. Among other things, a compass, clock, maps and spyglasses were considered to be very valuable at that time so naturally, the scofflaws stole them. They mimicked what they saw the British Naval officers did in order to navigate, and actually did a pretty good job despite the lack of any formal training in maritime navigation. They missed a key important safety tip: Do not ever look into the sun with a spyglass! Over the course of several years, a pirate would look into the sun with a spyglass to get a bearing, eventually burning out his cornea. Realizing he was blind, he fashioned a patch to place over his eye to look more menacing to his foes. So, there you have it. That’s why pirates wear eye patches.

Answer 5

Good idea Jess! Sounds like a money maker...especially with how HUGE Pirates of the Carribean is these days.



I've seen all kinds of colored patches for kids...even plain white ones they can decorate themselves...and they do have some amazing imaginations.



Most adults do tend to choose either the beige or black when the choice is available. Dunno...guess we all wanna be pirates :)

Answer 6

Flesh Colored Eye Patch

Answer 7

The beige colored eyepatch I had scared the kids badly because they thought I'd lost the eye entirely (which is a common phobia amongst kids) so I opted back for the black. They shied away from it until I painted the skull and crossbones with white-out, and now you can't shake the little buggers. They want to know where the ship is, what Jack is really like, and where the sword, hook and parrot are. Black is okay if you know how to wear it well.

Answer 8

I was going to have to wear a patch on my eye, in efforts to strengthen the other and to make it become dominant... But I didn't want to wear a patch because I didn't want anyone to treat me badly because of it, so my Low Vision Specialist reccommended the "Occluded" lense... It is a lense in my glasses and it is clear, but frosty in appearance. I cannot see through it, except for light and distorted colors; but when a person looks at me, they can see my eye perfectly and it does not look very frosty to them. You really can't notice it unless you get really close to me. But yeah, it is definately a wonderful alternative to the scarey eye patch!!!

Answer 9

um, well for the 25 years I have been in th business there have been several different kinds available, from black to white to different colors of skin tones. There are ones with adhesives and ones that have straps. There are ones with pictures on them too, so it depends on what your eyecare provider purchases. In my experience, most people want what is the cheapest, not the cutest in healthcare. I am listing just two places that have kewl ones here, and the pharmacies carry wide varieties as well as skin tones. So, they are out there, why you are only seeing black ones? Who knows?!

Answer 10

to add to these wonderful ideas,



why pay so much more for a beige patch some surgical company produces when you can go to the store and buy one for a dollar that is black.



cost effective? i think so

Answer 11

whoa!! heyy good ideas! role with it...i think u hit some gold!!



i remember when i had to where patches over my eyes after my surgery when i was little..mine were UGLY! they were baige, hard plastic shell thing with holes. it had a pad on the inside and they had to like tape it to my face! it was soo ugly!



anyway, i think u should make some new styish eye patches..make them like with diferent colors and patterns. u can make it2 the must havs for the coming year! i kno i'd like to hav some! lol..it'll b the new HOTTEST accessory!



on and i LOVE jess's answer too! hahhahahaa!! ur amazing! lol.

Answer 12

Personally I think they should be clear, with a picture of an eye on them.

Answer 13

i think you may have found your marketing niche!!



go and make some!