Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1886 — The Electric Light’s Effect on the Eye. [ARTICLE]

The Electric Light’s Effect on the Eye.

Dr. jj Ac Andrews, of New York, read a paper on the effect of the electric light upon the eye. Tn considering the relative effect of different forms of illumination, that obtained from gas, from kerosene, and from the incandescent light were studied. The electric light give* the maximum of light with the minimum of heat So far the only cases of injury to the eye from the electric light have resulted from exposure in proximity to the arc light. In most of these cases the existence of previous eye trouble was net excluded. The effect in these c ases can be best explained as occurring through the sympathetic neryous system rather than as a result of mechanical or chemical influences. It is not established that exposure to k right light can produce a diffused iritis. No case of injury to the eye from the incandescent light has been reported, and out of 1,100 workers with the electric incandescent light examined by the reader there was not one complaint. Those suffering with errors of refraction claimed that the sight was improved. The light used was from twelve to sixteen candlepower, and provided a shade to pro- - tect the eyes. The incandescent light possesses advantages which are wanting in other forms of artificial light, the principal of which are its steadiness and the fact that its use does not contamin .te the atmosphere.— Medical Neics.