In-universe, Geordi's VISOR causes him constant pain. From ["Encounter at Farpoint"][1]: > LAFORGE: Is a remarkable piece of bio-electronic engineering by which I quote see much of the EM spectrum ranging from simple heat and infrared through radio waves et cetera, et cetera, and forgive me if I've said and listened to this a thousand times before. > > (Without the Visor, Geordi La Forge's eyes are white sightless orbs, and he has flashing red lights at his temples) > > CRUSHER: You've been blind all your life? > > LAFORGE: I was born this way. > > **CRUSHER: And you've felt pain all the years that you've used this?** > > **LAFORGE: They say it's because I use my natural sensors in different ways.** So as soon as an alternative was possible, Geordi would have a strong reason to switch as soon as possible. Geordi had been offered some means of eliminating the pain, but they are risky and/or would interfere with vision. From the same episode: > CRUSHER: Well, I see two choices. The first is **painkillers**. > > LAFORGE: Which would affect how this works. No. Choice number two? > > CRUSHER: **Exploratory surgery**. Desensitise the brain areas troubling you. > > LAFORGE: Same difference. No, thank you, Doctor. > > CRUSHER: I understand. [1]: http://www.chakoteya.net/NextGen/101.htm