Hey buddy. I hope you are doing fine. From my experience it does help. As for the why I really don´t know. Maybe it is because looking someone at the eye make's me connect with him more deeply. But really look at it. Look into his soul so to speak. It is the conection that make´s me focus into the other person and the conversation rather than my own fears. I can read his/her emotional state. Sometimes I understand right there that other people get nervous too. It make´s me be more honest. Speacilly if the other person is looking me right back. The thing is for whatever reason is very hard for me. I feel ashamed and try to look away most of the times. Take care