Surely eye patches can not replace melatonin for all cases where melatonin is used as a treatment.
I recently went camping in the Lake District, and as the camp sites were very dark at 10pm I went to bed, and as the tent starting getting hot at 8am I got up.
I felt great for it.
For me, I think my body needs a routine. Shame I can't get into that routine at home, despite trying.
Part of the reason I spend more time in my own basement than any other room of the house is that it's dark down here (I've covered up the windows with blackout fabric) and it's very quiet. I don't hear the neighbor cleaning his RV or someone mowing their yard or loud cars going past.
I know it's unhealthy, but I don't really know of another solution (and from what I understand, it isn't enough to have a schedule - but you need to have a schedule where you're awake during the day and getting sunlight).
It was really strange to spend four hours writing, say from 6am, then sleep 10-2pm, get up for another four hours, sleep 6-10pm etc. Not sustainable, but was an interesting experience to have. Gave me an insight into how screwed up shift workers can get, too.