Though I have little experience with submissives as I am one myself I believe that showing a certain intensity in your eyes can induce quite a bit of fear in someone especially because it's something you don't see people do often. For me the looks someone gives me is how I assess their character.
Don't even get me started on 50 shades. Thanks to that book, on online dating sites where I declare my interests I've been getting messages of the 'aw, did you just read 50 shades?' or 'are you looking for mr grey?'... as if my sexuality is something I just put on to be trendy.