Stevie Wonder is one of the most loved and talented musicians in the world. He has inspired millions with his songs, his voice, and his ability to play many instruments. But many people wonder: how did Stevie Wonder become blind? This is a story that begins when he was just a baby and continues through an amazing life of music, strength, and hope. In this article, we’ll explain his journey in a way that even a 10-year-old can understand. You’ll learn what happened to his eyes, how it affected his life, and why he is so special.
How Did Stevie Wonder Become Blind?
Stevie Wonder became blind shortly after he was born. He was not completely blind at birth, but he became blind as a result of a condition that affected his eyes in the first few weeks of his life. The condition is called retinopathy of prematurity. It mainly affects babies who are born too early, or “prematurely.” Stevie was born six weeks early, and at that time, doctors didn’t fully understand how to treat premature babies’ eyes. The medical care that was supposed to help him actually ended up causing damage to his vision.
When Stevie was born in 1950 in Michigan, the hospitals didn’t have the advanced equipment we have today. To help premature babies breathe, doctors gave them extra oxygen in incubators. This oxygen helped many babies survive, but it also caused problems for some, especially in their eyes. The high levels of oxygen damaged the blood vessels in Stevie’s eyes, and that’s what caused him to lose his sight. His story is one of strength and overcoming challenges—and it began in a hospital room when he was just a newborn.
What Is Retinopathy of Prematurity?
Retinopathy of prematurity, often called ROP, is an eye disease that affects premature babies. When babies are born too early, their eyes are not fully developed. This means that the tiny blood vessels in the eye can grow the wrong way or stop growing altogether. In some cases, the blood vessels leak or cause scars, and this damages the retina—the part of the eye that helps you see clearly.
In the 1940s and 1950s, doctors used to give high levels of oxygen to premature babies to help their lungs develop. But they didn’t know that too much oxygen could hurt their eyes. Today, doctors are very careful with oxygen levels in newborns. But back then, this condition wasn’t fully understood. Sadly, many babies like Stevie Wonder lost their vision because of ROP.
Now, thanks to medical research and improved technology, retinopathy of prematurity is more easily treated. There are tools to monitor oxygen and even surgeries or laser treatments that can save a baby’s sight. But when Stevie was born, those tools didn’t exist yet.
Was Stevie Wonder Born Blind or Did It Happen Later?
This is one of the most common questions people ask: Was Stevie Wonder born blind? The answer is: He was not blind at birth, but he became blind shortly after. Stevie was born too early—six weeks before his due date. His early birth caused many problems, and his eyesight was one of them.
At first, Stevie’s eyes were normal for a premature baby. But then he was placed in an incubator and given a lot of oxygen. That oxygen damaged the blood vessels in his eyes. Within a few weeks, his vision started to fade, and by the time he was just a few months old, he had lost almost all his sight. Doctors later confirmed that he had total blindness caused by retinopathy of prematurity.
How Premature Birth Affects Eyes
Premature birth can interrupt the normal development of a baby’s eyes. The retina, which is at the back of the eye, develops mostly during the last few weeks of pregnancy. If a baby is born too early, the retina doesn’t finish growing. The blood vessels that feed the retina may grow abnormally or stop growing, which can cause serious vision problems or blindness.
This was the case for Stevie Wonder. Because he was born early, his eyes didn’t get a chance to fully develop. The medical treatments meant to save his life ended up affecting his eyesight.
Why Oxygen Was Used in Hospitals
In the 1950s, doctors thought high levels of oxygen were always good for premature babies. Oxygen helped babies breathe better, especially if their lungs weren’t fully developed. So they would place newborns in incubators and give them 100% oxygen. But doctors didn’t yet realize that too much oxygen could harm other parts of the body, especially the eyes.
It wasn’t until years later that scientists discovered the connection between oxygen therapy and retinopathy of prematurity. Today, hospitals carefully balance oxygen levels in neonatal units to keep babies safe. But when Stevie was born, medical knowledge wasn’t as advanced.
Stevie Wonder’s Early Eye Treatment
Stevie’s family realized something was wrong with his eyes not long after he was born. He wasn’t following movement or light the way babies usually do. Doctors diagnosed him with ROP, but back then, there was no reliable treatment. Surgery and laser treatments for ROP weren’t available yet.
Instead of letting this disability stop him, Stevie’s family focused on developing his other senses. They encouraged him to explore music and sound. And even though his eyesight was gone, his hearing and touch became incredibly sharp. That’s one reason why he grew up to be such a talented musician.
How Did Blindness Change Stevie’s Life?
Being blind was a big challenge, but Stevie Wonder never let it stop him. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he used his other senses to understand the world. He learned how to play instruments by touch and sound. He could hear the tiniest differences in pitch and rhythm. By the time he was just a child, he was already amazing people with his music.
Blindness also helped him focus more on his music and emotions. He didn’t get distracted by what things looked like—he listened carefully to how things sounded and how they made people feel. That gave his songs a unique and powerful style. He once said that not being able to see helped him “see” the world in a different way—through music, feeling, and imagination.
What Did Stevie Wonder Do as a Kid?
As a child, Stevie was full of energy and talent. He learned to play piano, harmonica, drums, and even bass—all by ear. He would practice for hours every day. He could remember melodies after hearing them just once. His family noticed his talent early and encouraged him to keep playing and singing.
By the time he was 11 years old, Stevie was discovered by a music producer from Motown Records. He was signed to the label and became a star under the name “Little Stevie Wonder.” His early songs, like “Fingertips,” showed off his amazing talent even though he was still just a kid. He amazed audiences by playing multiple instruments and singing with soul far beyond his years.
What Makes Stevie Wonder Special?
Stevie Wonder isn’t just a great singer—he’s one of the most creative and successful musicians of all time. Even though he is blind, he has achieved more than most people with perfect vision. He writes his own songs, plays several instruments, and produces his own music. His lyrics are full of emotion and speak about love, peace, and justice.
He also became a voice for people with disabilities. He showed the world that being blind doesn’t mean you can’t live your dreams. He inspires millions of people by showing that challenges can be turned into strengths.
His Big Music Hits
Stevie has made many hit songs that people still love today. Some of his biggest songs include:
- “Superstition”
- “Isn’t She Lovely”
- “I Just Called to Say I Love You”
- “Sir Duke”
- “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”
Each song shows his unique voice and talent. Many of these songs have become classics and are played all over the world.
Awards and Honors
Stevie Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards, more than almost any other artist. He also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest honors in the U.S. He’s also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has been recognized for his activism and support of civil rights.
Did Stevie Ever Get Eye Surgery?
Many people wonder if Stevie ever tried to get his vision back. The truth is, there’s no public record of successful surgery for Stevie Wonder. Because his blindness was caused by damage to the retina in infancy, modern treatments like laser surgery or retinal transplants wouldn’t work in his case. His blindness is considered permanent. Despite that, he never saw it as something to fix. He embraced who he was and continued to succeed as an artist and role model.
Is Stevie Wonder Fully Blind Today?
Yes, Stevie Wonder is still fully blind today. He has been blind since shortly after his birth due to retinopathy of prematurity. Over the years, he has learned to live without sight and continues to create music, perform, and inspire people around the world. His blindness has not stopped him from living a full and meaningful life.
The Bottom Line
So, how did Stevie Wonder become blind? He lost his vision shortly after birth due to a condition called retinopathy of prematurity, which was caused by high oxygen levels used in hospitals back in the 1950s. Although he faced a big challenge early in life, he didn’t let it stop him. Stevie turned his disability into a strength and became one of the greatest musicians of all time. His story shows us that even if life starts with struggles, it can lead to greatness. He’s a powerful reminder that talent, hard work, and heart matter more than what we can see with our eyes.
