Inability to shut one eye - anyone else?

Hello

I've just ventured into the world of DSLR photography and I've discovered a small issue. I can't wink, or fully close one eye at a time. So when I'm taking photos, I am squinting my left eye shut. This isn't effective because it half closes my right (viewing) eye and after a period of time squinting causes blurry vision and a killer headache.

I'm thinking of devising some sort of pirate style eye patch to cover my left eye, but thought I would post here and see if anyone else that is wink-challenged has discovered a different way to get around this.

Thanks
Candace