Ever Wonder Why The Blind Wear Sunglasses?

Ever wondered why blind people wear sunglasses? Well, I'm pretty sure most of us have. There are actually several reasons. While the decision to do so may sometimes be personal, sometimes it's influenced by the people around them. While most seeing people assume that blind people wear sunglasses for aesthetic purposes, that might not always be the case. Here are some of the most popular reasons why blind people wear sunnies.

To Increase Vision

Unlike what most people believe, many blind people are not completely blind. They can make out different shapes and figures under minimum glare from the sun. This is why it's often advisable to stand in the shade when speaking to a visually impaired person. Some blind people have what is referred to as a tunnel vision which allows them to see narrowly. Such people wear sunglasses to allow them to focus on their vision.

To protect their eyes from physical dangers and the sun

While it is easy for seeing people to be aware of their environment and certain dangers around them, it's often a major challenge for blind people to tell when something is about to hit them. Pieces of paper, tree leaves, and dust can easily hit and harm blind people. By wearing sunglasses, they are able to protect their eyes from such dangers.

Another element that blind people need to protect their eyes from is the sun. As we already know, UV rays are harmful. While seeing people can reduce the impact by covering their eyes partially with their hands, putting on a pair of sunglasses or facing away from direct sunlight it may be a lot harder for a visually impaired people to identify when they may be exposed to UV rays. 

For aesthetic reasons

Many blind people have facial disfigurations around their eye area. This can be a source of discomfort to seeing people. By wearing sunglasses, blind people are able to make themselves more approachable and easier to interact with. While seeing people can easily maintain and sustain an eye contact, it's often difficult for blind people to do the same. Wearing sunglasses rids them of the discomfort of having to maintain eye contact when interacting with seeing people.

To let other people know

It's not uncommon to spot blind people wearing their sunglasses indoors. This is done with the intent to let other people know their visual impairment.  Besides using a walking cane, blind people are able to communicate their blindness by wearing sunglasses. This works for their own safety especially in crowded places where people can easily bump into each other.