No-glare lighting

Home Channel News, May 1, 2000

As more Americans purchase home computers and are setting up home offices, Philadelphia-based Simkar introduces its Vision Saver lighting products line, designed to prevent eye fatigue by eliminating the glare from computer monitors and television screens.

Simkar's research indicates that three out of 10 Americans work from an office in the home or apartment, and five out of 10 own home computers. According to Simkar's vp-marketing Bud Drago, recent studies show that 25 percent of users of visual display terminals -- such as computer screens and video games -- suffer from eye strain, fatigue or discomfort caused by harsh lighting and glare.

"Productivity can suffer in working environments which do not have enough light, or have too much of the wrong kind of light," Drago explained. Vision Saver fixtures have a parabolic louver designed to cut off high-angle light in the glare zone and provide glare-free, true-color lighting.

The Vision Saver line, which includes desk lamps, overhead fixtures and undercabinet lights, hit store shelves in February. Vision Saver desk lamps come with built-in phone jacks and grounded electrical outlets for laptop and modem hookup. The overhead fixtures are available in two- and four-light versions, in lengths of two feet and four feet. The undercabinet lights have electronic ballasts that significantly reduce the humming common in lighting products.

Simkar advertises its products directly to electricals contractors primarily through trade publications. Yet, Drago said that Simkar sells its products at outlets including Home Depot, Eagle Hardware & Garden and Scotty's. The products range in price from $29 to $89 and are generally sold either in the electricals department or with office furniture. The entire Vision Saver line is easily customizable and can be shipped directly to builders' job sites.