By Alex Bartley
This is the sun. Something that is both praised and taken for granted in various contexts.
For me, however, it determines the quality of the day I will have. I was born with a rare eye condition that has prompted a large amount of medical intervention in my life.
I am legally blind. This fact impacts me every day. The sun has this funny little ability of being bright enough to stimulate my pupil into contracting, subsequently diminishing the amount of glare that hits the back of my eye.
For someone who struggles with light, glare and depth perception the combination of these things means a good vision day.
Generally, it is the brightest light I can see and therefore use. It assists in lighting our home, illuminates colours, provides contrast, and so on.
Though it also has a very important effect on the pupils. When sunlight hits an individual’s pupil, it forces the pupil to contract and become smaller. This helps protect the retina at the back of your eye. As someone who has issues with glare, this is ultimately how it helps my vision.
With less light allowed through, I can focus on my surroundings more than I would without visual sun exposure. Further proof is that I have a much harder time on overcast or stormy days than I do after being in the sun for five minutes on any given clear day.
Sometimes I leave the house to get the effect.
I wouldn’t say I actively chase the light. However, I can acknowledge that even I take this for granted.
The sun is crucial in a world that relies on food, energy, natural light, and even just the rhythm of day and night for a sense of routine.
I believe my experiences are the example of something so normal in existence, but how it can be so important to someone’s everyday life.
Featured image: The sun shines through trees beside a building. Photo: Alex Bartley
