Myths and Facts About Blind People
- SensAble
- May 8
- 6 min read
Table of Contents :
Let’s be honest—blindness is one of those things people think they understand, but most of the time, it’s shaped by movies, outdated textbooks, or sheer guesswork. There are more myths about blind people floating around than actual facts. And while many come from a place of curiosity, they often turn into harmful assumptions that affect how society treats blindness and those who live with it.
It’s time to reset the lens.
This blog dives into some of the most common myths about blindness, especially around blindness at birth, and replaces them with facts. Whether you’re wondering why blind people wear glasses, what causes blindness at birth, or just want to understand the truth about visual impairments, you’re in the right place.
Let’s separate reality from rumour and give blind people the respect of being seen as they truly are: individuals, not stereotypes.
Key Takeaways:
Blindness isn’t a monolith—there are different types of blindness from birth and later in life, and each blind person’s experience is unique.
Not all babies born blind are completely without sight. Some have partial vision or respond to light and motion.
Visual impairments range from mild to severe. Wearing glasses doesn’t always mean you're visually impaired.
There are many myths about blindness that come from fear, unfamiliarity, or outdated science.
Blind people live full lives—they work, create, move independently, and thrive with or without assistive technology.
Conditions like glaucoma, night blindness, and congenital eye issues need more awareness to reduce stigma and misinformation.
Representation matters: when we show the facts and bust the myths, we open doors to better design, policy, and community understanding.
Myths About Newborn Baby Blindness
Let’s start from the very beginning: Are babies born blind? There’s a lot of misinformation around blindness at birth, and it’s time to clear things up.
Myth 1: You can always tell if a baby is blind right away.
Fact: Not true. While some signs can be observed early, like lack of eye contact or light response, how to tell if a newborn is blind isn’t always straightforward. Parents might not notice until developmental milestones (like tracking objects or reaching out) are missed. Diagnosis often requires detailed medical evaluation.
Myth 2: All babies born blind have the same condition.
Fact: There are many types of blindness from birth—from genetic disorders like Leber congenital amaurosis to conditions like retinopathy of prematurity or optic nerve hypoplasia. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” cause or experience.
Myth 3: Blind babies can’t learn or develop normally.
Fact: This one’s flat-out harmful. Yes, visual impairments can impact development—but with the right support, blind children thrive. They learn to explore the world differently, using sound, touch, and movement. Blindness doesn’t block intelligence or creativity.
Myth 4: If a baby is blind, nothing can be done.
Fact: Early intervention is everything. From tactile toys to mobility training, many tools help babies born blind grow confidently. Support matters more than sight.
Myths & Facts About Blind People
Now that we’ve covered early life, let’s tackle some widely believed myths about blind people—the kind we hear casually in conversation, see in media, or even carry unconsciously ourselves.
Myth 1: Blind people see only black.
Fact: A popular question is, “Do blind people see black?” or “Does a blind person see black or nothing?” The truth? It varies. Some see light, color flashes, or blurry shapes. Others—especially those born blind—might not “see” in the way sighted people understand at all. Think of it more like the absence of visual input, not a black screen.
Myth 2: You can go blind from being in the dark too long.
Fact: No, you can’t go blind from being in the dark—even if it’s pitch black. Can you go blind from being in the dark for too long? Still no. Darkness doesn’t damage the eyes. Blindness has biological causes, not environmental lighting.
Myth 3: All blind people have white or cloudy eyes.
Fact: Not all. Why do blind people have white eyes? is a common search query, but it’s just one visual outcome of certain eye conditions. Many blind people have eyes that look “normal” to the outside world.
Myth 4: Blindness is all or nothing.
Fact: Enter the world of visual impairments. Not all blind people are totally blind. Some have partial vision, tunnel vision, or sensitivity to light. It’s a spectrum, not a binary.
Myth 5: People with glasses are visually impaired.
Fact: It depends. If you’re asking, “Are you visually impaired if you wear glasses?”—the answer is usually no. Glasses correct refractive errors. Visual impairments refer to conditions where vision can’t be fully corrected with lenses. So, is having glasses a visual impairment? Not unless your vision remains limited despite them.
Myth 6: Night blindness is the same as total blindness.
Fact: Nope. Night blindness vs normal vision is like switching off the lights in a room while others still have night vision goggles. People with night blindness struggle in low light but may see normally in daylight. Is night blindness a disability? It can be—especially when it affects daily life or mobility.
Myth 7: Blind people don’t care about appearance or fashion.
Fact: Wildly wrong. Many blind people care deeply about self-expression, style, and aesthetics. Whether it’s feeling the texture of fabric or using color cues from apps, fashion is for everyone.
Myth 8: Blind people don’t use technology.
Fact: They use it—and often better than the sighted. From screen readers to smart canes, tech is revolutionizing independence. If you’ve ever used Siri, think of it as a mainstream adaptation of blindness tech.
Myth 9: Blind people wear sunglasses to look cool.
Fact: It’s not just a fashion statement. Why do blind people wear glasses?—mostly to protect sensitive eyes, avoid discomfort from light, or prevent injury. Sometimes, it’s also to avoid awkward stares in public.
Myth 10: Blind people can’t work in science or art.
Fact: Plenty do—and excel. From musicians to engineers, blind people have reshaped how we hear, feel, and even measure the world. Creativity and logic don’t rely on eyesight.
Myth 11: Blind people need to be helped constantly.
Fact: While some environments can be inaccessible, many blind people live independently. Asking before helping is key. Assuming helplessness is not helpful—it’s patronizing.
Conclusion
There’s a pattern here, isn’t there? Most of the myths about blind people come from misunderstanding what blindness really is—and what it isn’t. From blindness facts around birth to facts about blindness in daily life, the truth is far more diverse, capable, and nuanced than the assumptions we carry.
The big takeaway?
Blindness doesn’t define a person. It just defines how they navigate.
So the next time you wonder what happens if you go blind, or you hear someone ask do blind people see black, remember—there are as many different answers as there are blind people. Blindness doesn’t shrink potential—it shifts perspective.
And if all this shook up what you thought you knew? Good. That’s the point.
Want to Learn More?
At SensAble, we’re building tools that aren’t about fixing blindness—they’re about enhancing independence, improving navigation, and making the world a little more intuitive for people with visual impairments. Because accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be the default.
Whether you’re blind, low-vision, or just ready to rethink everything you’ve been told—SensAble is here. Join us in pushing past outdated myths and shaping what’s next.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Are babies born blind?
A. Yes, some babies are born blind due to genetic or prenatal conditions. But not all forms of blindness at birth are total—many involve partial vision.
Q. What causes blindness at birth?
A. Genetics, infections during pregnancy, premature birth complications, or underdeveloped eye structures can all cause blindness in newborns.
Q. How to tell if a newborn is blind?
A. Watch for lack of eye contact, absence of visual tracking, or no reaction to bright light. Only a medical diagnosis can confirm blindness or visual impairments.
Q. Is night blindness a disability?
A. Yes, night blindness can be disabling depending on how severely it affects nighttime navigation and independence.
Q. Do blind people see black or nothing?
A. Some blind people describe seeing black, others say it's just “nothing.” Especially for those blind since birth, the concept of “seeing” is entirely different.
Q. Why do blind people wear glasses?
A. For eye protection, light sensitivity, or aesthetic reasons. Some blind people also have usable vision that benefits from glasses.
Q. Are you visually impaired if you wear glasses?
A. Not usually. Vision corrected to normal levels with glasses isn’t typically considered a visual impairment.
Q. Is having glasses a visual impairment?
A. No, glasses are a correction tool. Only if your vision can’t be fully corrected are you considered visually impaired.
Q. Can you go blind from being in the dark for too long?
A. No. Darkness doesn’t damage your eyes. That’s a myth in everyday life with no scientific basis.
Q. What happens if you go blind?
A. Life changes—but it doesn’t end. With tools, support, and adaptation, blind people live independently and meaningfully.
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