Wearing an eyepatch for self-esteem reasons?

[NaturalBornNEET]

I have strabismus which causes one of my eyes to turn inwards. This has always been an insurmountable insecurity for me and I physically can't bring myself to ever look people in the eye out of shame, and for good reason I think, it is an inherently shameful and repugnant condition to have for the symmetry-favoring human brain. I think covering it up with an eyepatch will finally give me the nerve to look people in the eye, but I imagine many people will ask about it and find my reason laughable and maybe even disrespectful. Would any of you think the same?

And I'm aware of potential medical drawbacks of patching so I'll consult my optician about it but honestly idrc I'm probably gonna go ahead with CTB in a year or 2 anyways

 

[U. A.]

Why not? Get a badass one; I think most people you just cross paths with won't say a damn thing and if someone asks just say you're "treating an eye condition". Iirc a patch actually can help in some less advanced cases so even if not applicable for you, it's not a total lie.
This also sets people up who you might talk to more in the future to have a sense of what's underneath and not be assholes (hoping they never are) if/when you remove it around them.

 

[Dingusguy]

Yeah if you think an Eyepatch can help then I think you should wear one, screw what other people think of it. And if they ask you about it, you can be truthful or make something up it really doesn't matter, you should do what makes you more comfortable in your own body

 

[Quietist]

Honestly, I know a lot of people tend to be insecure about patching, but I and tons of others think wearing one looks fucking badass.

Fuck what people think. Seriously. People are always going to judge and have something to say.

Wear the patch, be mysterious, you don't have to justify or explain yourself to anyone.

 

[ObsidianMidnightSky]

People will ask. That's just how they are. They see something different and mysterious and get curious and sometimes don't have the best filters.

I can't imagine anyone laughing at wearing an eye patch if you tell them it is for medical reasons. If they laugh at that, then it isn't someone you want to associate with anyway.

At least in my culture, not looking someone in the eye is seen as disrespectful, but not wearing an eye patch.

I personally think working on confidence without an eye patch is socially better, because it makes you seem more real and open instead of hidden, but go for it if it makes YOU feel better. Do it for your comfort, not theirs.

At the end if the day, it's just one small detail in a busy world and you'll be the person who takes the most time thinking about it, not them.

 

[Mr. Snrub]

What everyone else said and also I think it would pretty fuggin' cool. Only boring people don't appreciate a good eyepatch.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I think you should definitely consult your optician. Can you still see out of that eye may I ask? I'd just be careful that you don't damage your vision. I believe patching can affect both eyes.

I do feel so bad for you though. I think just naturally, we are drawn to people's eyes when communicating. I've had friends with squints in the past and there have been horrible moments when I've felt awful because it must have been clear I noticed it again.

It's so shitty to actually comment though. On any aspect of someone's appearance really. So childish really. It's not like we can control certain things.

 

[NaturalBornNEET]

I think you should definitely consult your optician. Can you still see out of that eye may I ask? I'd just be careful that you don't damage your vision. I believe patching can affect both eyes.

I do feel so bad for you though. I think just naturally, we are drawn to people's eyes when communicating. I've had friends with squints in the past and there have been horrible moments when I've felt awful because it must have been clear I noticed it again.

It's so shitty to actually comment though. On any aspect of someone's appearance really. So childish really. It's not like we can control certain things.

Ye I can still see with it, it just causes my vision to unfocus which is especially disorienting when looking other people in the eye.

I've worn it today and it's been great so far, for the first time in my life I've been able to maintain eye contact without feeling like I'm commitint a mortal sin.

 

[calebzz1]

I have strabismus which causes one of my eyes to turn inwards. This has always been an insurmountable insecurity for me and I physically can't bring myself to ever look people in the eye out of shame, and for good reason I think, it is an inherently shameful and repugnant condition to have for the symmetry-favoring human brain. I think covering it up with an eyepatch will finally give me the nerve to look people in the eye, but I imagine many people will ask about it and find my reason laughable and maybe even disrespectful. Would any of you think the same?

And I'm aware of potential medical drawbacks of patching so I'll consult my optician about it but honestly idrc I'm probably gonna go ahead with CTB in a year or 2 anyways

I would definitely consult a medical provider before doing so.

I actually 100% relate to this post as I have severe eye misalignment issues.

If you wear glasses, I highly recommend this patch.

https://tinyurl.com/zy7uby8k

Alternatively, this patch has helped greatly as a back-up with if you don't have glasses but it needs to be signficiantly tightened in the back.

Eye Patch - Translucent

When occluding, this translucent eye patch does the job and is not as distracting to some, as the solid eye patches.

store.littlegiantsteps.com

I wouldn't be insecure about your condition at all, a lot of people with strabismus are but have to learn to own it.

I'm brutally honest when I go out on how disabling it can be and have been learning how to ask for help.

There's no shame.

Do you experience double vision or is it just for cosmetic purposes?

Feel free to look at the post I made in "Recovery" for an idea on how my condition presents.

How my eyes look like while relaxing on Atropine 1% sulfate drops and a short video showcasing my visual impairment.

Hey all, I'm just posting this to give people a snippet of what I go through on a daily basis regarding my visual impairment. I posted the pictures before in chat but I wanted to give a fuller picture by adding an additional video too. I will upload two pictures, they are both of my left and...

sanctioned-suicide.net

Overall, I totally get what you're saying though.

Without a patch I literally see double of everything in my visual field and can't take people seriously and avoid eye contact too.

 

[NaturalBornNEET]

I would definitely consult a medical provider before doing so.

I actually 100% relate to this post as I have severe eye misalignment issues.

If you wear glasses, I highly recommend this patch.

https://tinyurl.com/zy7uby8k

Alternatively, this patch has helped greatly as a back-up with if you don't have glasses but it needs to be signficiantly tightened in the back.

Eye Patch - Translucent

When occluding, this translucent eye patch does the job and is not as distracting to some, as the solid eye patches.

store.littlegiantsteps.com

I wouldn't be insecure about your condition at all, a lot of people with strabismus are but have to learn to own it.

I'm brutally honest when I go out on how disabling it can be and have been learning how to ask for help.

There's no shame.

Do you experience double vision or is it just for cosmetic purposes?

Feel free to look at the post I made in "Recovery" for an idea on how my condition presents.

How my eyes look like while relaxing on Atropine 1% sulfate drops and a short video showcasing my visual impairment.

Hey all, I'm just posting this to give people a snippet of what I go through on a daily basis regarding my visual impairment. I posted the pictures before in chat but I wanted to give a fuller picture by adding an additional video too. I will upload two pictures, they are both of my left and...

sanctioned-suicide.net

Overall, I totally get what you're saying though.

Without a patch I literally see double of everything in my visual field and can't take people seriously and avoid eye contact too.

No, nothing as disabling as double vision luckily, just terrible eyesight which affects my motor coordination.

I saw the video in the link, my misaligned eye can switch between the left and right one too depending on how I focus it. Have you gotten any surgery or looked into any surgery for it? I don't actually know the exact conditions I have so I'm gonna have to go to a consultant to find out if I'm even eligible for surgery. The risks that come with it sound pretty bleak tho :/

trying to take a picture of my eyes and idk why they're suddenly refusing to misalign, either they have a mind of their own and are just trying to spite me or wearing this eyepatch for the past 2 days has helped align them somehow.

From looking online my symptoms line up most with esotropia. Managed to get 2 pictures, never attached pictures before so idk if it'll show up or not (usually the eye is more turned in than this).

 

[EternalShore]

Ye I can still see with it, it just causes my vision to unfocus which is especially disorienting when looking other people in the eye.

I've worn it today and it's been great so far, for the first time in my life I've been able to maintain eye contact without feeling like I'm commitint a mortal sin.

wow, I'm glad it's working out well for you so far! ^_^ I hope it continues to do so! :) I think they can be pretty kyute or cool depending on what type you get! :)