Why did God begin by creating light?

St. Basil the Great says, “The first word of God created the nature of light (Gen. 1:3); it made darkness vanish … and gave to all beings at the same time a sweet and gracious aspect … So, with a single word and in one instant, the Creator of all things gave the boon of light to the world … when God proclaimed the goodness of light, it was not in regard to the charm of the eye but as a provision for future advantage, because at that time there were as yet no eyes to judge of its beauty.”⁴³⁸