Blindness and Eye Closing Habits: The Role of Individual Factors
When it comes to the question of whether blind people naturally keep their eyes closed or open, the answer is perplexingly complex and varies greatly depending on individual circumstances. Unlike common assumptions, there is no default response to this behavior.
Factors Influencing Eye Closing Habits
The decision of whether to keep eyes closed or open is influenced by a myriad of factors. For those born blind or who experienced vision loss at a young age, the challenges of adopting new behaviors in a sighted world can be significant. Vision plays a crucial role in how we interpret the world around us, and blind individuals must learn how to navigate without it.
For someone who was born blind, their upbringing and the specific challenges they faced have a profound impact. Those who went through a completely dark childhood may have internalized that keeping eyes closed is a way to cope with the absence of sight. Conversely, individuals who lost their vision later may have had a lifetime of visual experiences to draw upon, making a habitual behavior of keeping eyes open more prevalent.
The individual's eye condition is another critical factor. For instance, I, born with no irises, am highly sensitive to light. If I forget my sunglasses, my eyes naturally close to avoid the intense light. This sensitivity can lead to dryness and discomfort, making it more comfortable to keep eyes closed.
In instances of extreme pain, where the individual has experienced an accident or injury leading to blindness, keeping eyes closed can be a natural response aimed at alleviating discomfort. This can be observed in those who keep their eyes closed as a reaction to pain or irritation.
Personal Experiences of Blindness
Personal anecdotes can offer insights into the specific challenges faced by blind individuals. I, for example, was born completely blind and have had to learn to rely on other senses to navigate my environment. Blinking can be an automatic response, but for me, it often becomes a deliberate action because I forget to do so when my eyes are open. The discomfort and pain that can arise from extended exposure to light without protection further reinforce the habit of keeping eyes closed.
Further, there are instances where individuals with no iris or other visual impairments may find it easier to keep their eyes closed for comfort, especially in environments with high levels of light. This has nothing to do with a preference or natural tendency but rather a practical solution to avoid discomfort.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the habit of keeping eyes closed or open among blind individuals is highly individual and is shaped by a combination of factors including the circumstances of one’s blindness, personal upbringing, and specific environmental challenges. There is no uniformly default behavior that can be assumed, as each person's experience with blindness is unique.
The understanding and acceptance of these varied behaviors can enhance communication and interaction with blind individuals, recognizing that their habits are a result of their unique experiences and not a reflection of a lack of respect or attentiveness.