San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-09
PREVENTION Of
BLINDNESS
STRESSED .
Good Light and Good
Sight Lesson Is
Broadcasted.
By LEWIS H. CARRIS
broadcast From station WIZ

scientists tell us that the human
eye is simply protrusion of the
brain. The eyes are more commonly
referred to as the windows of the
soul. Scientists and laymen agree that
the eye is not only the most complex
organism in the human body, but
probably the most valuable organ and
certainly one that most readily accom-
modates itself TO diverse conditions.
Because our eyes are so accommodate
ing; because they automatically adjust
and readjust themselves many thou
sand times a day without any con-
scious effort on our part; and because
they may be long overworked before
giving any sign Of being tired, they
are also the most frequently abused
organ of the body. Much Of this abuse
of the eyes may be traced directly to
their use under improper lighting con-
ditions. That is why / shall talk brief
" tonight on Good Light and Good
Sight"
WHAT Is GOOD LIGHT.
First of all, let me ask and answer
the question: what is good light?'
Any light may be good-whether it be
sunlight, gas light or electric light
provided there is enough Of it; that it
is steady; and that it is properly
shaded or diffused. No light is good
whether natural or artifiical-if ii
flickers or is unsteady; if it is of in
sufficient or of too great intensity; If
its source. when on the level Of the
eye, is unshaded; or If it produces
glare. %.
It is, for instance, just as harmful
to read q newspaper on a surface ear
going over a bridge on through the
business sections in broad daylight as
to read a newspaper in train, If the
lights are unsteady, because the inter
mittent lights and shadows thrown
across the page by the bridge super
structure or the tall buildings Of bust
ness districts cause just as great O
strain on the eve as does a Pickering
artificial light. 1t is just as harmful 70
read or do other exacting work with
an unshaded light hanging directly be-
fore the eyes as to do such work in q
dimly lighted room, because the
muscles of the eyes are strained in
either case. Yet one can ride on any
elevated line Of the city and see
through the windows, thousands Of
homes and shops-and occasionally Of
fees or. stores-in which people are
working either in dimly lighted rooms
or with unshaded gas and electric
lights before their eyes.
PROPER LIGHTING.
That this condition should persist
is all the more surprising in view OF
the fact that innumcrable independent
investigations made by the National
Committee for the Prevention OF
Blindness, the National Safety Coun,
Gil. and the American Museum Of
Safety, as well as those made by the
Illuminating Engineering Society, the
| lighting industries and various govern
ment bureaus all clearly show that in
business establishments proper light
ing leads to more and better work,
and that it decreases accidents, mis-
takes and waste. Good lighting, there
fore, is also an excellent business in
vestment.
In the home, proper lighting not
only relieves a great deal of ayoidable
fatigue and thereby makes life happier
for everyone. but adds much to the
decorative scheme. Even in the public
schools-though they are used chiefly
during daylight hours-the import
ance of proper lighting is being moro
fully recognized.
COMPANIES WILL AID.
A study of the condition of the
eyes of 100000 school children
which has just been made jointly by
the National Education Association
and the American Medical Association
reveals that one child out of every
eleven in the public schools throughout
the country has such seriously dc.
fective vision as to be handicapped III
his school work. While there are many
other causes for defective vision, poor
lighting is not to be overlooked. The
report Of this study, therefore, recon-
mends that careful attention be given
to the proper lighting of school rooms
as one of the means of conserving the
vision of these children and of the
millions whose sight is still normal.
Lighting companies today are only
too glad to give expert advice regard
ing proper lighting of homes, offices
and work places. In most cases, how
ever. little careful attention to local
conditions and the exercise of ordinary
common sense will lead to the correc-
ton of many lighting defects. Good
light and good sight are synonymous.
Good light is now available ut small
cost. Sight, on the other hand, is of in
estimable value; once it is lost or i'm
paired it can not ordinarily be re-
stored. Nothing which serves to safe
guard our sight should be considered
foo diffiCult or too extensive.