Reflections on the special senses in relation to the development of affect with special emphasis on blindness

In congenital blindness, the absence of vision can be compensated for by the utilization of the tactile and auditory senses, resulting in normal affect and ego development. Some of the major problems in the way of such compensation were noted. Adventitious blindness produces disruption of ego functions, with severe affect manifestations, notably grief and mourning reactions and actual dependency. The factors favoring successful or unsuccessful resolution of mourning and restoration of normal ego functions were indicated.