Blind person's heightened sense of touch 'due to practice'

Blind people, who may use assisted living, have a better sense of touch due to practice, a new study has revealed.

Research published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that it is daily dependence on touch that leaves blind people with a greatly improved grasp of the sense, rather than overcompensation by the brain due to lack of sight.

Daniel Goldreich, of McMaster University, explained: "Proficient Braille readers - those who might spend hours a day reading with their fingertips - performed remarkably better. But blind and sighted participants performed equally when the lips were tested for sensitivity."

According to study author Mike Wong, the results could help with further improving the sense of touch, which could have applications in later life.

This comes after news that researchers at the University of Oregon are attempting to grow 'nanoflowers' which could be used to help people with macular degeneration regain their eyesight.

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