Geordi LaForge ( LeVar Burton ). Born blind in 2335 due to a birth defect Geordi more than makes up for this with his visor which gives him a wider range of vision than human eyes do.    They have a side effect of also giving him headaches.   Since his mother and father were in Starfleet he moved around a lot.   He considers his childhood a great adventure.   He received his visor when he was five years old and his travels have given him a broad exposure to different languages.

Geordi graduated from Starfleet academy in 2357.   One of his first assignments was as shuttle pilot for the Jovian run between Jupiter and Saturn.    LaForge first met Picard when he piloted his shuttle on an inspection tour.   Picard made an offhand comment about a slight inefficiency in the shuttle's engines and Geordi worked around the clock to fix it.    This impressed Picard enough that he requested LaForge be assigned to the Enterprise.

LaForge later served on the USS Victory under Capt. Zimbata.  One of his best friends on that ship was Susanna Leijten.  They both participated on an away mission to Tarchannen III.   Both were infected by a lifeform but this was not discovered until years later while they were both on the Enterprise and they started changing and tried to return.   LaForge was saved by Leijten's actions.

LaForge transferred to the Enterprise D as Flight Controller.    He was promoted to full Lt. and assigned as the Chief Engineer the following year.   He has proven to be a brilliant and successful engineer.    Geordi's Mother died while commanding the USS Hera.   Later during an incident around Marijne VII Geordi encounter what he thought was his mother.    Although it turned out to be only those beings trying to attempt to communicate he felt it allowed him to say good bye to her. 

Geordi accepted reassignment as Chief Engineer of the Enterprise E after the destruction of the D.  He also received ocular implants.   Although they are much smaller than his visor they still afford a wide range of vision input.

Director:
Episodes 150 : "Second Chance"
Episodes 164 : "The Pegasus"

Deep Space 9 Episodes : "Indiscretion", "The Sword Of Kahless", "The Bar Association", "Rules Of Engagement", "To The Death", "Things Past", "Soldiers Of The Empire", "Behind The Lines","Resurrection","The Emperor`s new Cloak"

Voyager Episodes : "Ex Post Facto", "Dreadnought", "The Raven", "Timeless"