Not that it has something to do with the core of the article, but I wonder what series the author actually watched... Yes, if only I could think of a central character that had his vision not only restored but also improved by technology...(although I admit that Star Trek has always been critical of transhumanism) What? The Federation itself is more or less socialistic, they certainly were not intended as some criticism or caricature of Socialism.Trek has almost a pathological antipathy to anything Transhumanist, and explicitly rejects any kind of enhancement of Humans whether it is genetic (Eugenics Wars), medical (anti aging) or technological (Borg)
No doubt this is some American reaction to a caricature of Socialism, as the Borg clearly represents a Socialist society in many minds