One hundred and fifty newly blinded soldiers were given a thorough psychiatric evaluation of their previous civilian and military background and their emotional response to their disability. Of this number, 59% were found to be well adjusted to their blindness; 18% were definitely mal-adjusted; and 23% showed mild or borderline symptoms. The criteria for an adequate adjustment in the newly blinded soldier were a complete freedom from anxiety, depression, or undesirable aggressive behavior, or other psychiatric symptoms; a realistic acceptance of their disability; an appreciation of the need to undergo orientation and rehabilitation procedures; and a definite motivation towards the reestablishment of themselves as useful and productive citizens. Maladjustment appeared in the form of anxiety symptoms, mood disturbances, aggressive behavior, excessive dependency and apathy, unrealistic attitudes, guilt reactions, and mental confusion with memory difficulty. These abnormal responses were determined by preexis...