Unique physical appearance, sometimes coupled with an odd or special personality, has enabled some to gain notoriety through the years. Popeye, Fred Gwynne, Marty Feldman, Robin Williams, Peter Faulk or Sammy Davis Jr. could be some to consider within this group. We might debate whether talent or appearance was more important to pave the way toward celebrity status for these and many others.

Visiting the ND State Fair in 1977 I stood with a small crowd as a carnival barker introduced “Popeye,” to entice folks inside for what was callously billed back then as a “freak show.” Past studies of head and neck anatomy hinted what to expect. The thyroid gland in Popeye’s neck suggested thyroid disease would give the appearance orbs were “popping out of his head” when he opened his eyes wide.

Fred Gwynne’s portrayal of Herman Munster was aided by techniques like those used to transform Robin Williams into Mrs. Doubtfire. Another odd-looking fellow, Marty Feldman, had a unique physical appearance with bulging and misaligned eyes, making him perfect as Igor in the Mel Brooks production “Young Frankenstein” (1975). What’s more, even a glass eye didn’t interfere with Peter Faulk or Sammy Davis Jr.’s ambitions.

A lesser known standout also had exceptional talents and unique eyes — Laurence Kim Peek (b. 1951, d. 2009). Peek’s brain was different than most everyone else’s. Rather than being divided into right and left hemispheres, it was instead undivided – just one, large bundle of nerves. This enabled him to aim, focus and use each eye independently to observe and gather information. Peek could read both pages of an open book at the same time then recite back verbatim what he had read. As a savant, his memory and recall were exceptional – something that inspired Dustin Hoffman’s character in the 1988 movie “Rain Man.”

Double vision (diplopia in medical terms) occurs in young children sometimes. “Lazy eye,” as it is occasionally referred to, is sometimes treated in childhood with an eyepatch, forcing muscles of the affected eye to work more and become stronger. A grade school classmate of mine wore a black pirate’s patch over one eye during third grade. It was cool and I was envious. I talked my mother into sewing up a black eyepatch for me as well. But, the novelty of the idea quickly subsided, and the patch was relegated to a cigar box with other unique items – including snake-eye agates and a deck of cards with one-eyed Jacks. If only I could find that cigar box and pirate patch now. It’s my turn with lazy eye.

I don’t know why, but in retirement, my eyes have begun to mimic those of Marty Feldman’s and Kim Peek’s – unable to both be aimed in the same direction. Making matters worse, my noodle is one of those half-and-half varieties rather than the all-in-one version like Mr. Peek’s. Until recently, all of this has been manageable with help from glasses bending light sideways a little to fool my brain, something Rita claims isn’t all that difficult in my case. Evidently, modern optometry and my pea brain both have their limits.

The Eagles hit “Lying Eyes” keeps playing over and over in my head now. Turns out a mediocre physical appearance, including ocular deformity coupled with a warped personality and scarcity of talent, hasn’t enabled much notoriety in my case. Maybe now’s my chance… to audition for the next Frankenstein movie remake, have a uni-brain transplant, join the circus side show or have surgery to re-aim the wandering orb to match the other side. If you happen to spot me out lost and wandering around town, wish me luck. I’ll be keeping an eye out for you.