Editing Geordi La Forge (section)

===In universe===
In the ''[[Star Trek]]'' [[fictional universe]], a '''VISOR''' is a device used by the [[blindness|blind]] to artificially provide them with a sense of sight. A thin, curved device worn over the face like a pair of sunglasses, the VISOR scans the [[electromagnetic spectrum]], creating [[Visual perception|visual]] input, and transmits it into the brain of the wearer via the [[optic nerve]]s.<ref name=Farpoint>"[[Encounter at Farpoint]]". ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''. Season 1, Episodes 1 and 2. September 28, 1987</ref><ref>"[[The Masterpiece Society]]". ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''. Season 5, Episode 13. February 10, 1992</ref> The [[sensor]]s are located on the [[wikt:convex|convex]] side, that covers the [[Human eye|eyes]] and attaches at small input [[Jack (connector)|jacks]] implanted in the [[temple (anatomy)|temples]]. The only VISOR seen on screen was used by Geordi La Forge, who was blind from birth.<ref>"[[The Enemy (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Enemy]]". ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''. Season 3, Episode 7. November 6, 1989</ref> VISOR is an [[acronym]] for "Visual Instrument and Sight Organ Replacement";<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Okuda|first1=Mike|author-link1=Michael Okuda|last2=Okuda|first2=Denise|author-link2=Denise Okuda|title=[[The Star Trek Encyclopedia]]|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|year=1997|edition=Second|page=546}}</ref> however, the complete term never appeared in the series, but only in novelizations and other written tie-in products.

The VISOR also caused LaForge some persistent pain, which could not be treated without interfering with the device.<ref name=Farpoint/> [[Beverly Crusher]] and [[Katherine Pulaski]], the two high-ranking doctors who served on the ship, were unfamiliar with the device when first meeting La Forge.{{episode needed|date=December 2012}}

The device does not reproduce normal human vision, but does allow the character to "see" energy phenomena visible to the naked [[human eye]] while expanding the wearer's full perceived spectrum to 1&nbsp;Hz — 100 PHz. This also allowed the character to see human vital signs such as heart rate and temperature, giving him the ability to monitor moods and even detect lies in humans (but not aliens).<ref>"[[Up the Long Ladder]]". ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''. Season 2, Episode 18. May 22, 1989,</ref> In the episode "[[Heart of Glory]]", Captain Picard keys the main viewer to Geordi's visor allowing him to see the way he does. Seeing all the overlapping and different wavelengths was highly confusing to the Captain, prompting him to ask Geordi how he was able to differentiate between them all. Geordi's response made the comparison of a child hearing many different sounds at once and eventually being able to pick out what they needed; it is a learned talent.

In the episode [[The Mind's Eye (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|"The Mind's Eye"]], the access to Geordi's brain through the interface makes him a target of Romulan brainwashing.

In the episode [[Interface (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|"Interface"]], Geordi uses an experimental interface to his VISOR. In an environment too dangerous for humans to be in, Geordi sees, hears, feels and acts through a robot.

Twice in the series, Geordi refused to be granted natural vision, first by [[William Riker|Commander Riker]], who had been given extraordinary amounts of power by [[Q (Star Trek)|Q]], because it would have come at the cost of Riker's humanity,<ref>"[[Hide and Q]]". ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''. Season 1, Episode 10. November 23, 1987</ref> and later by Doctor Katherine Pulaski.<ref>"[[Loud as a Whisper]]". ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''. Season 2, Episode 5. January 9, 1989</ref>

Sometime between 2371 and 2373, before the time of the film ''[[Star Trek: First Contact]]'', Geordi's VISOR was replaced by [[prosthesis|cybernetic eyes]], performing the same functions. On film, they are depicted using a combination of cosmetic [[contact lens]]es and [[computer-generated imagery|CGI]].{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

There was a short time period in ''[[Star Trek: Insurrection]]'' where Geordi gained actual eyesight, due to the effects of fictional metaphasic radiation, in the atmosphere of the planet Ba'ku. However, the effects of the metaphasic radiation wore off after leaving the planet, and the cybernetic eyes were once again used in the film ''[[Star Trek: Nemesis]]''.