The fish might not care but I'm sure your line and the extra stress your rod is being exposed to do.

First of all, what kind of rod do you have and why are you so paranoid about somone switching the handle? Just either send the rod in to the mfg. or find a local repair shop to do the work for $15 or so. I took one of my rods to Raleigh at Go-Fish-N Tackle Shop in Puyallup. He did a nice job keeping the eye straight with the others. Im sure there are several guys and gals on this site that could change out the eye for you also.

This is just my way of thinking, but if its my favorite rod, I'm gonna wine and dine it untill she dies!