The name Defiants originally refers to a group of Minmatar slaves, all of them of the Brutor tribe,
who were survivors of the Amarr's Human Endurance Program. The name Defiant is also applied to
the descendants of these surviving slaves.


These survivors have been left with a legacy of blindness brought on by a resultant genetic defect
caused by the harsh conditions they were subjected to by the Amarr researchers. This condition is
passed down to their descendants resulting in blindness in their children by an early age, commonly
before five years old. Most Defiants choose to undertake treatments to compensate for their
blindness, such as implants which restore sight to various degrees. Some, however, choose to live
with their blindness, which has become synonymous with their identity and, as such, is treated as
a mark of honour.


https://universe.eveonline.com/lore/defiants