What causes Blindness in some people?

Summary

Who Smarted? – “What causes Blindness in some people?”

Podcast: Who Smarted?
Date: March 2, 2026
Host: Trusty Narrator (Atomic Entertainment/Starglow Media)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Who Smarted? explores the topic of blindness: what it means, how it occurs, and how people who are blind navigate the world. The Trusty Narrator substitutes for a high school science teacher and, with the help of James, a blind student, unpacks scientific facts, personal experiences, misconceptions, and adaptive technologies with the show's signature mix of humor and interactivity.

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Key Points & Insights

What Does Being “Blind” Really Mean?

• Blindness varies: It’s a misconception that all blind people see only darkness. Many have some degree of vision, such as seeing light, blurry shapes, shadows, or even colors.
  • Quote:
    “It is a bit of a misconception or mistake to assume that all blind people can only see blackness or darkness. Most blind people have some level of vision.” – James [04:02]
• Relying on other senses: People who are blind often have enhanced reliance on hearing, smell, and touch.

Adaptive Tools and Technology

• Braille:
  • It’s a tactile writing system made up of raised dots, allowing reading through touch. It appears on books, keyboards, elevator panels, and more.
  • James uses a refreshable braille display paired to a tablet [05:00].
• Guide dogs:
  • Specially trained dogs can navigate environments and avoid obstacles completely, unlike canes which detect them.
  • Do not pet guide dogs when they’re working:
    “Guide dogs are actually hard at work. So you shouldn’t distract them by petting them.” – James [06:22]
• Assistive tech in sports:
  • James bikes using ultrasound sensors on the handlebars to detect obstacles [07:15].
• Goalball:
  • A sport for people who are blind using a ball with bells so players can locate it by sound [07:34].

Causes of Blindness

From Birth

• Genetic factors:
  • Some people are born blind due to hereditary conditions passed through their genes (DNA).
  • “Visual problems may develop before you’re born... through your genes.” – James [08:03]

After Birth

• Accidents:
  • Eye injuries can result in blindness (e.g., why James wears a metal cage when playing hockey) [10:58].
• Diseases:
  • Diabetes, cataracts, or glaucoma typically cause blindness over time, more common in adults.
• Vitamin A deficiency:
  • The leading cause of childhood blindness globally.
  • “The main cause of blindness in kids is actually vitamin A deficiency.” – James [10:58]
  • Vitamin A nourishes and protects the cornea. Lack of it leads to injury and scarring [11:23].
  • Stat: Between 250,000 to 500,000 cases of childhood blindness occur each year due to vitamin A deficiency [11:45].

How Doctors Help

• Eye doctors (ophthalmologists):
  • Diagnose and treat eye issues. For young children and babies, vision can be checked using toys, not just letter charts [12:01].
  • Treatments may include glasses, contact lenses, surgery, or laser treatments, depending on the cause [12:07].

Other Guide Animals

• Dogs:
  • Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds all make good guide dogs (mixes are especially effective) [12:51].
• Miniature horses:
  • For those allergic to dogs, miniature horses can serve as guide animals.
  • “Some people who are allergic to dogs may get a miniature horse as a guide animal. It wears sneakers to protect its hooves.” – James [13:19]
• Cats and capybaras:
  • Not suitable as guide animals [13:18].

Living with Blindness

• People who are blind can work, play, and learn just like sighted people, sometimes needing adaptations but fully participating in life [07:50].
• Social interaction tip: Always ask an owner before petting any dog, especially a working service animal [06:51].

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On distinction of blindness:
  “Most blind people have some level of vision. Some see light. Others, like me, see blurry shapes, figures, shadows, or even colors.” – James [04:02]
• On assistive reading technology:
  “I have a refreshable braille display paired up to my tablet that changes as I scroll around the screen.” – James [05:17]
• On sports and technology:
  “My bike has two ultrasound sensors... that can find things in front of me and on the sides when I’m riding.” – James [07:19]
• Guide dog etiquette:
  “While it may be hard to resist petting a cute doggie, guide dogs are actually hard at work. So you shouldn’t distract them by petting them.” – James [06:22]
• Humor moment:
  “Even I can see that.” – James, joking about the Trusty Narrator’s substitute teaching skills [14:02]

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Important Timestamps

• Introduction & Classroom Setting: [00:00 – 02:45]
• Blindness Myths and Reality: [04:01 – 05:33]
• Braille, Tech & Guide Dogs: [05:33 – 06:51]
• Adaptive Sports & Daily Life: [07:05 – 07:59]
• Causes of Blindness in Kids & Adults: [08:03 – 11:45]
• Seeing Eye Doctors & Treatment Options: [12:01 – 12:36]
• Guide Dog Breeds/Alternative Guide Animals: [12:36 – 13:41]
• Class conclusion: [13:50 – 14:09]

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Takeaways

• Blindness isn’t all-or-nothing. It covers a spectrum, and most people who are blind have some vision.
• Adaptations like Braille, guide dogs, and technology help people lead independent, active lives.
• Main causes of blindness can be genetic, accidental, disease-related, or nutritional (notably vitamin A deficiency).
• Respect working guide animals and always ask before petting them.
• Empathy and understanding go a long way in supporting those with visual impairments.

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This episode combines fun, personal experience, and clear scientific explanations to deepen understanding of blindness for kids and families.

Transcript

[A]

And now it's time for who Smarted?

[B]

Psst.

[A]

Hey, smartypants. Guess where I am. Did you say school? That's right. My friend Sarah is a science teacher, but she's not feeling very well today, so she asked me to substitute. Yeah, I know substitute teaching doesn't really work like that, but just go with it. Anyway, I'm pretty excited, but also a little nervous because Sarah teaches high school. Yep, these kids are a little older than the usual smarty pants. But that's okay. I'm sure I can win them over. Don't be nervous. You can do this. You can do this. You can do this. Oh boy, here comes my first class. Wish me luck. Good morning, class. My name is the trusty Narrator.

[B]

The what?

[A]

Trusty narrator.

[C]

Where's Ms. Johnson?

[A]

Oh, she's not feeling well. I'm her friend. She asked me to substitute.

[B]

That's not how substitute teaching works.

[A]

I know, I know. Just go with it for the podcast.

[C]

Podcast? Did you say podcast?

[A]

Yes, I do a podcast called who's Smarted?

[B]

Who What?

[A]

Smarted. I know what it sounds like. That's the joke. Uh huh.

[B]

You're a strange guy, Mr. Narrator.

[A]

Thanks. Why doesn't everyone tell me their names? And one fact about yourself.

[B]

I'm Will. I play hockey.

[A]

Oh, nice. We did a whosmarted episode on hockey.

[C]

And I'm Isabella. I just got my learner's permit.

[A]

Congratulations. I remember when I learned to drive. And what about you?

[B]

I'm James. I'm getting a German shepherd.

[A]

Awesome. I love dogs. Such great pets.

[B]

Yes, but this dog isn't a pet. It's to help me get around.

[A]

Really? Did the dog just get its learner's permit too?

[B]

That's funny. But no. I'm about to turn 16, which means I'm finally old enough for a guide dog.

[A]

A guide dog? Oh, I see.

[B]

You're blind. Yes.

[A]

I'm sorry, I didn't realize.

[B]

That's okay. I didn't realize you could use the word smarted as a verb.

[A]

Good one. So wait, if you're getting a guide dog, how do you get around so well now, I didn't see anyone helping you.

[B]

I've gotten really good with my special white and red cane. But while a cane can help me identify obstacles in my path, a guide dog can help me avoid them completely. It's going to be a big step for me. Literally.

[A]

Right? Wow, James, there's a lot I don't know when it comes to blindness. Would you mind sharing your experience and knowledge with me and the smarty pants.

[B]

The what, sir? I like educating people about blindness. The more they know, the more they can understand and empathize with people like me. What would you like to know?

[A]

Let's see. Well, for starters, what exactly does it mean to be blind? How and why does blindness happen? How are blind people able to do everyday things? And are there animals other than dogs that can be trained as guide animals?

[B]

Okay, when do we start?

[A]

Right after the theme song. Get ready for another whiff of science. On who's smarted, who's smarted? Who's smart?

[B]

Is it you?

[A]

Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. On who's smart and. Okay, smarty pants, I'm with James here, who happens to be blind. So what does it mean when a person is blind? Does it mean they can't see, can't hear, or can't smell? I'm pretty sure most of you said a person who is blind cannot see. But what exactly does that mean? In other words, what do blind people see?

[B]

Good question, Mr. Narrator.

[A]

Please, call me Trusty.

[B]

Okay. It is a bit of a misconception or mistake to assume that all blind people can only see blackness or darkness. Most blind people have some level of vision. Some see light. Others, like me, see blurry shapes, figures, shadows, or even colors. It really depends on the individual.

[A]

Gotcha. So I suppose blind people rely a lot more on their other senses.

[B]

Definitely. For most blind people, our other senses, like hearing and smell, end up being stronger. And of course, touch is very important. In fact, that's how I read.

[A]

Read, Smartypants. How do you think James uses his sense of touch to read instead of

[B]

having printed words on a paper? My books are all written in braille.

[A]

Ah, of course. But wait, smarty pants, do you know what Braille is? James, can you please explain?

[B]

Sure. Braille is a tactile or touch based system of writing that uses a series of raised dots to represent the letters of the Alphabet. I read Braille by moving my finger from left to right along each row of dots and figuring out the words as I go. You can find all kinds of things written in Braille, including books, keyboards, elevator keys, and labels on products. This is especially important for dangerous things like blood. I even have a refreshable braille display paired up to my tablet that changes as I scroll around the screen. I also love listening to audiobooks and, of course, podcasts.

[A]

You and me both. Earlier, you mentioned you were getting a guide dog.

[B]

Yes. I'm really excited.

[A]

That's great. But how is a guide dog different from a pet dog?

[B]

Guide dogs have been trained to be hyper alert to their surroundings so they can be good guides.

[C]

My Labrador retriever actually failed his exam to be a guide dog.

[A]

Wait, there's an exam for guide dogs?

[B]

Oh, yeah. Before a guide dog can become a service dog, it has to show it can be calm and focused on its job and settings around humans.

[C]

My dog had a hard time focusing and only wanted treats, so they decided he wouldn't make a great guide dog. But he does make an awesome pet.

[B]

Yeah. Guide dogs need to be very focused and disciplined when they're working.

[A]

Smarty pants. True or false? If you ever meet a guide dog, you shouldn't pet it.

[B]

The answer is true. While it may be hard to resist petting a cute doggie, guide dogs are actually hard at work. So you shouldn't distract them by petting them. Many guide dogs wear a vest that says they are working and not to pet it. They also wear a special harness. When the harness is on, the dog is working. But if the harness and vest are off, then the dog can play and be petted. But always ask the owner if you can pet their dog whether it's a service dog or not.

[A]

Great advice, James. So what are some things you like to do for fun?

[B]

Hockey,

[C]

TikTok dances.

[A]

Yes, those are cool, but I was more asking James.

[B]

I like to do the same things any person with sight likes to do. I just need to do some things a little differently. For example, I love going for bike rides.

[A]

Bike rides? Isn't that dangerous? Smarty pants? What do you think?

[B]

Nah. My bike has two ultrasound sensors on the handlebar that can find things in front of me and on the sides when I'm riding.

[C]

Whoa.

[A]

That's incredible.

[B]

I also love to play goalball.

[A]

Goalball? I don't think I know that one. Smarty pants. Have you heard of goalball?

[B]

Goalball is a team sport where teams of three players try to throw or roll a ball with bells inside to the other team's go. The bells are so players can hear where the ball is. Several countries, including the U.S. have goalball teams.

[A]

Sounds like great exercise.

[B]

Yep. The fact is, blind people learn to live without sight. We can work, play and learn even though we have trouble seeing or can't see at all.

[A]

I'm glad to hear that. But how is it some people are born blind?

[B]

For some, like me, visual problems may develop before you're born. Blindness can be passed down from a parent through your genes.

[C]

You mean like through DNA?

[B]

Exactly. Of course, some people become blind later in life.

[A]

Smarty pants, can you think of any ways someone could go blind later in life? Call them out. Uh huh. Uh huh. Well, we'll find out more right after this quick break. Spring is here and if you're a homeschool family trying to finish the year strong, I want to tell you about ixl. It's the the award winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into your homeschool routine covering math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. What I love most about IXL is how it adapts to each child's pace. Whether your kid needs to reinforce foundational skills before an assessment or push ahead into new material, IXL meets them exactly where they are with no pressure and real encouragement built right in. Kids earn rewards, see their own progress, and actually feel good about learning. And for parents, the real time progress tracking is a game changer. You always know exactly where your child stands. Plus it makes learning fun. And you know I love that. Over 15 million students use IXL and it's proven to improve achievement in all 50 states. So make an impact on your child's learning. Who Smarted? Listeners get an exclusive 20% [e-mail] smarted that's ixl.com smarted for your 20% off. As the trusty narrator, I've taken the smarty pants on countless adventures. I'll do anything for the fans, but off mic I prefer to keep my adventures in the safe space of my own backyard. However, even a homebody like me can't avoid the unexpected chaos that comes with family life. Take last week, for example. My niece was staying with me when she came down with a nasty cold in the middle of the night. I couldn't leave her alone to get medicine. And that's when I remembered Doordash is there for you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it. With a few taps on my phone, I had cough syrup and tissues delivered right to my door. Doordash saved the night and my niece was back to her energetic self in no time. Oh, and did I order a little ice cream for myself. Yes, I did, and Doordash brought it right to my door. So while I may not be the biggest fan of real life adventures, I'm grateful that Doordash is always there to help me navigate life's little emergencies. When life happens, get a little order delivered with DoorDash order now. Now back to who's Smarted. So how is it that some people go blind after they're born?

[B]

Sometimes blindness is caused by an accident, like something hurting your eyes. That's why I wear a metal cage when I play hockey. Diseases like diabetes, cataracts, or glaucoma can also damage your vision over time. But this usually happens to older people, not kids. The main cause of blindness in kids is actually vitamin A deficiency.

[A]

Smartypants, did you know that your eyes need vitamin A to nourish and protect your cornea, which is the clear covering on the front of your eye. Without it, your cornea is vulnerable to injury and scarring, which can lead to blindness.

[C]

According to Google, vitamin A deficiency causes between 250,000 to 500,000 cases of childhood blindness a year.

[A]

Smarty Pants, what should you do if you start to have vision problems? A hope they go away on their own? B tell an adult or C? C a doctor. If you said B and C, you're right.

[B]

An ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in eyes.

[C]

I know eye doctors use that chart with letters on it to test your vision. But what about babies or younger kids who don't know letters yet?

[B]

For babies, the doctor can check vision by putting a toy in front of them to see if they can focus on it. Most kids just need glasses or contact lenses to see better. Or sometimes an operation or laser treatment may help a kid's vision. But in some cases, blindness occurs. Luckily, there are lots of resources and technologies, new and old, out there, to help the blind lead healthy, happy lives. And if you're very lucky, when you're 16 or older, you can get a guide dog.

[A]

Smartypants, which of the following dogs do you think make good guide dogs? A Labradors, B Golden retrievers, and or C German shepherds. The answer is A, B or C.

[B]

They say labgolden mixes make especially great guide dogs, but I'm looking forward to my German shepherd.

[A]

Yeah, that's gonna be a game changer. But it makes me wonder, Smarty pants, what other animals do you think can be trained as guides for the blind? A Cats Meow. B miniature horses or C a capybara? The answer is definitely not a cat.

[C]

Meow.

[B]

Nope. But if you said be a miniature horse, you're right. Some people who are allergic to dogs may get a miniature horse as a guide animal. When a guide horse is working, it wears a special leather harness with a stiff handle for its human to hold. It also wears sneakers to protect its hooves.

[C]

A miniature horse in sneakers sounds so cute.

[B]

I know. I asked my parents if I could have a miniature horse, too, but that might be a little too much. I'll just stick with my dog.

[A]

Oh, wow. There's the bell for the end of class. Thank you, James, for explaining so much about what it means to be blind.

[B]

My pleasure, Trusty.

[A]

Also, you saved me. I really don't know how to be a substitute teacher.

[B]

Oh, yeah, Even I can see that.

[A]

A big shout out to super Smarty fan Evelyn in Vancouver, Washington. We're so glad you love who Smarted because it helps you learn new things and because the sound effects are so funny. Keep listening, laughing and smarting along with us. Thanks, Evelyn. This episode Blindness was written by Sarah Sweetick and voiced by Taya Garland, Sam and Trader Molly Smith and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hahn. Who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room studios. Our associate producer is Max Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production. Who smarted.