Age-related changes in reading performance in normally sighted Arabic-speaking adults

Reading performance is important for evaluating near vision and predicting and prescribing near-vision correction. There is a significant gap in the literature on Arabic reading performance and its associated effects.

Normative data from control participants serve as the baseline for future studies involving groups with specific characteristics. This study aimed to assess baseline measures of Arabic reading performance.

In total, 428 normally sighted adults aged 19-83 years read the Balsam Alabdulkader - Leat chart to measure their reading performance. The participants were divided into five age groups. The outcome measures were the maximum reading speed in standard-length words per minute, critical print size, reading acuity, and reading accessibility index.

The average reading performance measures were as follows: 171 ± 27 standard-length words per minute for maximum reading speed, 0.01 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution for critical print size, -0.17 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution for reading acuity, and 1.02 for the accessibility index. There were significant differences among the age groups, indicating a dependency on age and showing a plateau for the young adult group and a decline with age. The accessibility index had an almost perfect correlation with maximum reading speed and a weak but significant relationship with reading acuity and critical print size.

Arabic exhibits an age-dependent trend in reading speed. However, owing to differences in orthography, visual demands, and reading strategies, the magnitude of the decrease and increase differs, potentially accounting for the variations between languages, especially when compared to English. This study serves as a foundation for future studies on Arabic reading performance. Future studies should examine the reading performance in patients with low vision, study the effects of common diseases on reading ability, evaluate the effectiveness of reading devices, and assess improvements in vision rehabilitation.