LaForge's father, Dr. Edward LaForge, is a Starfleet exobiologist. His mother, Captain Silva LaForge, is commanding officer of the U.S.S. Hera NCC-62006. LaForge was born blind. At the age of five he was caught in a fire. Soon after that incident, he received a prosthetic device called a V.I.S.O.R. which sends visual signals directly to his brain. In 2371 he received electronic ocular implants and discontinued use of the V.I.S.O.R. The implants provide the same function as the V.I.S.O.R., while giving him a more "normal" appearance, with less pain. Due to both of his parents being in Starfleet, he moved around a lot while growing up. He has a strong ability with languages because of this. In 2370, the U.S.S. Hera and his mother were declared lost.

Starfleet History
Attended Zefram Cochrane High School.
2353-2357 Attended Starfleet Academy.
2358 Served as shuttle pilot on the Jovian Run.
2361 Posted to U.S.S. Victory NCC-9754, Ensign
2363 Promoted to Lieutenant j.g.
2364 Posted to U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D, Lieutenant j.g., flight controller
2365 Promoted to Lieutenant, Chief Engineer.
2366 Promoted to Lt. Commander.
2371 U.S.S. Enterpise NCC-1701-D was destroyed at Veridian III.
2372 Posted to Sovereign-class U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E.
2373 U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E succeeded in stopping the Borg's temporal incursion. Assisted in rebuilding Zefram Cochrane's warp ship, The Phoenix.

Geordi LaForge was first seen in "Encounter at Farpoint" (TNG).