The character LaForge was born blind, given sight by Riker ("Hide and Q") which he decided he didn't want, and decided against a sight operation by Dr. Pulaski in "Loud As A Whisper."

Both his parents are in Starfleet; his father is an exobiologist and his mother is a command officer ("Imaginary Friend").

He was promoted majorly between season s one and two when he was made Chief Engineer (for the first season, they were going through chief engineers left and right).

He resides in deck 2, room 2471.