Why Do Blind People Wear Dark Glasses?

In response to this question, most people would say that people with visual impairment wear shades so they don’t stand out in social settings. The fact that the disfigurement of their eyes might make others around them uncomfortable encourages those people to shield their eyes behind dark glasses.

While that IS one of the reasons why blind people wear sunglasses, it certainly isn’t the only one.

To enhance their vision

In regards to the blind, it’s generally assumed that they have absolutely no sense of vision. However, contrary to popular belief, most blind people aren’t totally blind, i.e., they can see or at least perceive certain types of visual cues. According to the American Foundation for the Blind:


There are people who are lawfully blind, yet have a very small field of vision that enables them to see in a narrow zone (often known as ‘tunnel vision’). Special glasses help these individuals focus better and make out details more efficiently.

Blind man walking

Most blind people can see at least a little (Image Credit: Flickr.com)

To protect their eyes from the sun

Just like anyone with healthy eyesight, most visually impaired people need shades to protect their eyes from certain harmful components of sunlight. Prolonged exposure to UV rays, for instance, can cause inflammation of the cornea, cataracts or even some forms of ocular cancer. Since blind people have little or no means to determine whether their eyes are being bombarded by these harmful UV rays, the need to wear shades becomes even more compelling.

Blind People wear Sunglasses to protect their eyes from intense sunlight and other light sources

Visually-impaired individuals wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from intense sunlight and other light sources

While some blind people wear regular shades that block harmful UV radiation and bring down the intensity of ambient light, others wear custom-made shades that shield their eyes from certain colors to which their eyes are specifically sensitive.

To protect their eyes from physical dangers

A sighted individual can easily avoid getting stuff in their eye by bending, ducking or simply closing their eyes instinctively when they see something coming towards them. However, visually impaired folks have no means of protecting their eyes from things like low-hanging branches, cabinet doors in the kitchen, stuff blown by the wind etc. Glasses help them shield against such physical hazards.

To notify others

Blind Woman walking

Blind individuals usually wear dark shades and carry a white cane, especially while traversing crowded places

Another reason why blind people wear glasses is to notify others at a distance, especially in crowded, public places, that ‘I have little/no sense of vision’. This, along with the white cane they usually carry, implicitly tells others to be a bit more careful around them.

Aesthetic reasons

Many visually impaired people wear shades to put others around them at ease, especially during a conversation. Since a blind person’s eyes might not continuously look in the direction of the source of the sound, blind people might have trouble making and maintaining eye contact with others. This is another reason why they cover their eyes under glasses, in a bid to take any awkwardness out of conversations.

Some people lose their sense of vision following tragic accidents or injuries, which might scar, or in some way disfigure their eyes permanently. As a result, they like to keep their eyes hidden from people, especially in social settings.

Therefore, there are a number of reasons why the visually-impaired wear dark shades. It’s generally assumed that all visually-impaired people are completely blind, but that’s usually not the case. They generally have some degree of vision, which helps them in public and everyday life.


  1. American Foundation for the Blind
  2. Health Policy Institute (Georgetown University)
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