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@Michael, this is what I think after a few days of playing with my eyes closed and/or just not looking at the fretboard:
1. Ironically, I think it helps my focus. I can’t explain why for sure, but probably because I’m forced to focus on what I’m doing if I am to stand any chance of playing blind. My mind drifts a lot and having my eyes closed seems to help lessen that.
2. By the 3rd day, noticeably fewer mistakes. I seem to miss my root note frequently and I am missing less frequently since I began playing with my eyes closed.
3. Licks and runs prior to a chord change seem to come more naturally.
Here is what might be happening when a person plays “blind”. If a person has been practicing in a focused manner at least several times per week for a few months, that person’s brain has recorded where the strings and frets are. When the eyes are closed, the player has to rely on strumming, plucking, fretting, sliding, bending, etc. based on where he thinks the strings and frets are. So the brain kicks in and says, “Hey, I can help with that.” Either that, or these are just the musings of a wanna-be expert.