Why is the height of lighthouses often limited to 200 feet?

The height of lighthouses is often limited to 200 feet because 'the elevation of the lantern above the sea should not, if possible, for sea-lights, exceed 200 feet; and about 150 feet is sufficient, under almost any circumstances, to give the range which is required'^[1].

This height restriction helps ensure that lights are effective while minimizing the risk of being obscured by fog, which tends to affect higher lights. Therefore, practical considerations of visibility and safety guide the maximum height of lighthouses^[1].