Do some blind people really have white eyes?

Question

I know not all blind people are this way, or probably even most, but constantly in movies and other forms of media blind people are distinguished by having white glazed over eyes. Is there any basis in fact for this or is it merely an artistic element?

Answer 1

Great question. It depends on the type of blindness.

The number one cause of blindness in the WORLD is cataract. This is when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. In later stages of cataract the front of the eye can look very “milky“. Lens replacement surgery is very easy and thus not a serious problem in more developed countries.  Ã¢Â€Âœmovie blindness“ will often look like severe cataracts even when it`s supposed to be something else( Bad cataract - http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobgriffin/... )

The number one cause of blindness in the United States (and most developed countries) is Age-Related Macular Degeneration(AMD). AMD is a defect in the back of the eye and really isn`t usually noticeable at casual glance.

Another major cause of blindness that MIGHT give that “white glaze“ is Uveitis. This is due to inflammation inside of the eye. It usually doesn`t look like movie blindness though. (BAD uveitis - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...  )

Another possibility is that it is supposed to give the appearance of the eyes rolling back in the head, so you can`t see the pupil and iris. This happens, especially if the eye can`t pick up any light at all. When you sleep your eyes may do this. (not a blind guy I don`t think, but here is someone who has rolled their eyes back- http://www.flickr.com/photos/7686325@N05...  )

Answer 2

For some. But for some, it's only because A whitish growth shows up and covers the eyes of a blind person. BUt it really isn't white

Answer 3

Actually these are not artistic elements some people really get blind  because of  a  white cover on the pupil of the eye.

But at rare cases these people become permanent blind. At-most cases the White cover can be remove by smaller operation or even by laser technologies. These people very slowly get there full pupil covered. At very primary stage this Can be removed by eye drops. THESE THING REALLY HAPPENS> THANX

Answer 4

http://ask.metafilter.com/88963/How-do-b...