The eyes adapt quickly when going to the light emerging from a tunnel into the sun, say but going to the dark "requires the regeneration of photo pigments, and that takes some time to reach full dark-adaptation, " says Dr. Sheedy.

WSJ: Burning Question: Does Reading in Dim Light Hurt Your Eyes?

Comic-book adaptation "Dark Knight Rises" from Time Warner Inc.

WSJ: 'Dark Knight' Still Tops Box Office

The Golden Compass is the first planned adaptation of Pullman's bestselling His Dark Materials trilogy.

BBC: The film is based on Philip Pullman's bestselling book