A compact, portable combined light and magnifier apparatus and method for use with portable computer, such as a portable, hand-held video game, having a video screen, such apparatus comprises a body composed of a plurality of panels which define an open space generally the size of the video screen and a battery compartment to supply power and lighting means within the body to provide indirect lighting to the video screen, the body and the battery compartment containing ridges which provide for the body to be releasably secured to the computer with the video screen. The apparatus includes a cover to fit over the open viewing space of the body and pivotable between a closed, compact position adjacent the face side of the body and an open, use position extending generally perpendicularly outwardly from the face side of the body. The magnifier portion comprises a frame and a magnifying lens secured within the frame, the lens adapted to conform generally with the computer video screen, the frame pivotably secured within the cover and adapted to move between a compact, stored position within the cover and a magnifying, use position extending generally perpendicularly from the face of the body to place the magnifying lens a defined, fixed distance directly over the video screen.