The history of the eye patch worn by pirates has received a scientific explanation: it could help adapt vision to darkness. Researchers and ophthalmologists remind us that human vision processes light differences using two systems: cones (for bright light) and rods (for low light).
Covering one eye allows rods to remain sensitive to darkness, which facilitated the transition from the deck to the dark areas of the ship. This trick was confirmed by experiments, and modern pilots sometimes use a similar tactic. The study was published in the journal iScience.
However, historians warn that there is no documentary evidence that real pirates used eye patches in this way.
The image of pirates with eye patches became popular due to literature, particularly the novel "Treasure Island" by John Silver, and later became entrenched in cinema, theater, and popular culture.
Real pirates looked like ordinary sailors, and the eye patch turned into a symbol that enhanced drama and intimidation.
