blindness

[ blahynd-nis ]

noun

1. the inability to see; the condition of having severely impaired or absolutely no sense of sight:

   Patients are first asked if their blindness is congenital or the result of injury or disease.

2. an unwillingness or inability to perceive or understand; lack of judgment; ignorance:

   Your blindness to this behavior has allowed his anxiety to worsen.

blindness

/ blīnd′nĭs /

1. A lack or impairment of vision in which maximal visual acuity after correction by refractive lenses is one-tenth normal vision or less in the better eye. Blindness can be genetic but is usually acquired as a result of injury, cataracts, or diseases such as glaucoma or diabetes. In Asia and Africa, trachoma is a common infectious cause of blindness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blindness¹

First recorded before 1000; blind ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

Affecting approximately 200,000 Americans annually, AMD is a major cause of blindness in people over 50.

From Science Daily

This pathologic scar tissue response, rather than the eye injury itself, is what can lead to blindness.

From Science Daily

It’s this blindness to — and ignorance of — the virus’ reach that has infectious disease and health experts concerned.

From Los Angeles Times

Without a reliable way to self-regulate blood glucose levels, patients are forced to live with a high-maintenance regimen of glucose monitoring and insulin management to maintain health and avoid dangerous complications like neuropathy, amputation and blindness.

From Science Daily

These build up, attacking nerves and organs which can lead to blindness, coma and death.

From BBC

Related Words

• defect
• myopia