Eyepiece Edge Blackening

We have all heard or read about this "feature" on costlier or higher quality eyepieces. But, is this a necessary feature of a good eyepiece? I have disassembled a lot of optical sets over the years and to be quite honest, have seen very few that had the edges blackened.
Just recently I took a rather famous make eyepiece that was touted in the ads a having blackened edges. It did not. I then blackened the edges with a new felt tip marker and reassembled. I can not readily discern any visible difference. What say you out there who have more reliable info than I? Herbert???

Walt

Walter,
I have used both from Meade (series 3000 and series 4000). IMHO, the main difference is the edge blackening. It noticibly cut down on ghosting from internal reflections. Also, the sky seemed a little more washed out (gray) without the edge blackening in the series 3000. How much improvement due to the fully multicoatings and maybe better glass is impossible to say. But a side by side comparison had me impressed.
Tom

Dan, I fully appreciate what you are saying. In my case I clean eyepieces and camera lenses only as often as I have to and then only with the new type cleaning cloths. I have found that they work very well for my needs. Only on the rarest of occasions will I use a small dab of ROR liquid cleaner. I have found that it does not exhibit strong solvent properties. It does wonders for removing oily smudges from eyelashes, but must be used sparingly.
I do appreciate your insight on the field stop situation. I am hopeful that installing one on my wide field will make a good eyepiece even better.

Walt