Blindness and Perception: What Do Blind People Really See?

I have been legally blind since early 2010 and have recently taken up painting again. My paintings reflect how I actually see—often impressionistically and filled with swirling patterns and colors. Here, I explore the visual experiences of blind people and how perception differs from one individual to another.

The Visual Experience of Legally Blind People

Impression: A Pumpkin Flower
I have been legally blind since early 2010 and recently resumed painting after a break of about 15 years. Unlike my earlier works in watercolor, my current paintings are in acrylics, reflecting my visual experiences rather than being photo-realistic.

My color vision is very poor. I can only see yellow clearly; greens appear black, blues are grey at best, and reds are hard to identify. This means that my paintings are not based on color perception but rather on the shapes and patterns that I can distinguish with low light French artist and father of the impressionist art movement, Claude Monet, also experienced blindness, leading to a distinct worsening of his failing eyesight. His artworks, and particularly his later impressionist pieces, reflected his individual visual experiences.

Impressions of Vision Loss: My Personal Journey

My visual journey began when I lost my sight. I am legally blind, meaning I can only detect light and darkness with my right eye. My left eye has no light perception at all. I have been trained to use a long white cane and a guide dog for navigation. Here, I describe my visual experiences:

Visual Hallucinations in the Dark

When I close my right eye or enter a dark place, I experience this:

These swirling patterns and colors are a jumbling, spinning firework display of light. Some shapes and colors are constant, while others dance and rush upwards as if I were looking out of an elevator at a brightly illuminated wall. This is my brain constructing a view of the world, a visual hallucination. The spiral has been a constant since my sight loss. As my brain adapted to losing light perception in the left eye and the right eye became dominant, the spiral effect became less prominent in my vision.

My right eye is more subdued, but still, a dull presence compared to the vibrant display in my left eye. The patterns are ever-changing, and life is a jumble of colors and lights.

Other Forms of Blindness

Blindness is not a singular experience. Some individuals are born without the ability to detect light, while others become blind due to accidents or illnesses. Some common causes of blindness include:

Cataracts, which can be treated with surgery Retinal diseases, which often have no cure Accidents or traumatic injuries to the eyes Illnesses that affect the optic nerve or brain

Each person's experience is unique, and there is no one definitive answer to what do blind people see. Some blind individuals report seeing dark or complete darkness, while others describe seeing colors or shapes, often due to visual hallucinations or the brain's attempt to construct a visual experience from minimal input. The following table summarizes the varied experiences:

Type of Blindness Description Congenital blindness (born without light perception) No perception of light or dark, no vision at all AcQUIRED blindness (due to accidents or illnesses) Vision loss that can be sudden or gradual, and the experience can vary widely depending on the cause and severity. Congenital low vision (born with limited light perception) Minimal vision with some light perception and ability to see shapes, colors, and movement

Impressionism and Blindness

Impressionism, an art movement closely associated with Claude Monet, evolved partly due to his own experiences with blindness. Monet's later works reflect a significant deterioration in his vision, yet the essence of impressionist art—quick, light brush strokes and a loose, expressive style—prevailed. This art form, often perceived as a celebration of light and color, is a perfect match for how a blind artist might conceptualize and express their visual experiences.

Conclusion

Blindness is a complex and varied condition. Each individual's experience is unique, shaped by the cause of their blindness and their personal adaptability. My own journey with blindness has led me to explore and express my visual experiences through painting, embracing the concept of impressionism to capture the subjective nature of my perception. While my paintings are not a literal representation of the world, they are a true reflection of my inner visions.