Index: release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_image.py
===================================================================
--- release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_image.py	(revision 45380)
+++ release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_image.py	(working copy)
@@ -265,6 +265,7 @@
 
         layout.separator()
 
+        layout.prop(uv, "dim_image")
         layout.prop(toolsettings, "use_uv_sculpt")
 
         layout.separator()
Index: source/blender/editors/space_image/image_draw.c
===================================================================
--- source/blender/editors/space_image/image_draw.c	(revision 45380)
+++ source/blender/editors/space_image/image_draw.c	(working copy)
@@ -514,8 +514,15 @@
 		 * convert them, and optionally apply curves */
 		image_verify_buffer_float(ima, ibuf, color_manage);
 
-		if (ibuf->rect)
-			glaDrawPixelsSafe(x, y, ibuf->x, ibuf->y, ibuf->x, GL_RGBA, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE, ibuf->rect);
+        if (sima->flag & SI_DIMIMG)
+        {
+            glPixelTransferf(GL_RED_SCALE, 0.5f);
+            glPixelTransferf(GL_GREEN_SCALE, 0.5f);
+            glPixelTransferf(GL_BLUE_SCALE, 0.5f);
+        }
+
+        if (ibuf->rect)
+            glaDrawPixelsSafe(x, y, ibuf->x, ibuf->y, ibuf->x, GL_RGBA, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE, ibuf->rect);
 #if 0
 		else
 			glaDrawPixelsSafe(x, y, ibuf->x, ibuf->y, ibuf->x, GL_RGBA, GL_FLOAT, ibuf->rect_float);
@@ -527,6 +534,11 @@
 
 	/* reset zoom */
 	glPixelZoom(1.0f, 1.0f);
+
+    /* Reset dim image */
+    glPixelTransferf(GL_RED_SCALE, 1.0f);
+    glPixelTransferf(GL_GREEN_SCALE, 1.0f);
+    glPixelTransferf(GL_BLUE_SCALE, 1.0f);
 }
 
 static unsigned int *get_part_from_ibuf(ImBuf *ibuf, short startx, short starty, short endx, short endy)
Index: source/blender/makesdna/DNA_space_types.h
===================================================================
--- source/blender/makesdna/DNA_space_types.h	(revision 45380)
+++ source/blender/makesdna/DNA_space_types.h	(working copy)
@@ -714,6 +714,7 @@
 #define SI_USE_ALPHA	(1<<12)
 #define SI_SHOW_ALPHA	(1<<13)
 #define SI_SHOW_ZBUF	(1<<14)
+#define SI_DIMIMG       (1<<15) /* dim the image to be easier on the eye */
 		/* next two for render window dislay */
 #define SI_PREVSPACE	(1<<15)
 #define SI_FULLWINDOW	(1<<16)
Index: source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_space.c
===================================================================
--- source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_space.c	(revision 45380)
+++ source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_space.c	(working copy)
@@ -1187,6 +1187,12 @@
 	RNA_def_property_enum_items(prop, pivot_items);
 	RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Pivot", "Rotation/Scaling Pivot");
 	RNA_def_property_update(prop, NC_SPACE|ND_SPACE_IMAGE, NULL);
+
+    prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "dim_image", PROP_BOOLEAN, PROP_NONE);
+    RNA_def_property_boolean_sdna(prop, NULL, "flag", SI_DIMIMG);
+    RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Dim image",
+                             "Dims the image to be easier on the eye");
+    RNA_def_property_update(prop, NC_SPACE|ND_SPACE_IMAGE, NULL);
 }
 
 static void rna_def_space_outliner(BlenderRNA *brna)