How to Adjust to the Darkness

Your eyes need time to adjust to darkness. Someone entering darkness from a well-lit area, for example, would not immediately be able to see in the dark as well as someone who was already well-adjusted to the darkness. While your eyes cannot adjust to darkness immediately after entering a dark area, there are several ways to hasten the process. In 10 minutes your night vision will improve, and in about 30 minutes will be at its best.

Things You'll Need

• Flashlight
• Red cellophane
• Rubber band

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Instructions

• 1

  Place the red cellophane over the light end of the flashlight, and secure it in place by sliding the rubber band over the end of the flashlight.

• 2

  Remove yourself from any sources of bright light for the first 20 minutes after entering a dark area. You may turn on your covered flashlight if you wish, though you should turn it off after your first 20 minutes in darkness.

• 3

  Avoid any sources of light for the next 10 minutes. If you did this correctly, you were in semi-darkness for 20 minutes, and total darkness for a further 10 minutes, and you are now fully adjusted to darkness.

• 4

  Maintain your adjustment to darkness by refraining from looking directly at any sources of light.