Why Do Blind People Wear Sunglasses?

Is it just to look cool?

Well… yes. I know I look cool.

But that’s not the real reason.

One of the biggest reasons many blind and vision-impaired people wear sunglasses is photophobia, the medical term for light sensitivity. Bright sunlight, glare reflecting off roads and buildings, fluorescent lights, or even an overcast sky can be painfully bright. For me, and for many others, sunglasses aren’t a fashion accessory; they’re a tool that makes the world more comfortable.

There’s another common misconception worth clearing up. Most blind people aren’t living in complete darkness. In fact, the vast majority of people who are legally blind still have some residual vision. We may be able to distinguish light from dark, detect movement, recognise shapes, or see enough to navigate familiar places. Reducing glare with a good pair of sunglasses can actually help us make better use of the vision we still have.

Then there’s the staring.

I know it can be uncomfortable if it seems like I’m staring at you. Please don’t take it personally. I have very little choice. I can’t see your face well enough to know exactly where to look. Sighted people constantly make tiny adjustments with their eyes without ever thinking about it. They know when they’ve made eye contact, when to look away, and when someone has entered the conversation.

I don’t have those visual cues.

Sometimes I’m looking straight at you. Sometimes I’m looking six feet to your left. Sometimes I’m looking through you altogether. From your perspective it can look like I’m staring. From mine, I’m simply doing my best to work out where you are.

Sunglasses can take away some of that awkwardness. They stop people trying to interpret where my eyes are pointing, and they save me from worrying whether I’m accidentally making someone uncomfortable.

They also protect my eyes from wind, dust, insects, and harmful UV light. Some eye conditions make the eyes more vulnerable, and even when vision can’t be restored, the eyes still deserve looking after.

So yes, I wear sunglasses.

Partly because they make me look cool.

Mostly because they reduce glare, protect my eyes, lessen fatigue, and make social situations a little easier to navigate.

The next time you see a blind person wearing sunglasses indoors or on a cloudy day, don’t assume they’re making a fashion statement. Chances are they’re simply using another tool to make the world a little more accessible.

Although, to be fair, looking cool is still a nice bonus.