Effect of Rhythmic Near-Task Reading on Convergence Recovery in Madrasa Students
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Madrasa students are frequently exposed to prolonged near-task reading and recitation, often accompanied by habitual rhythmic forward-backward swaying. Although near work, posture, and visual symptoms have been studied in school-aged populations, limited evidence is available regarding the association between rhythmic swaying and convergence recovery in madrasa students. Objective: To assess the association between rhythmic swaying during near-task reading and convergence recovery among madrasa students. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Madrasa Rehmat-ul-Alameen, Lahore, from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 359 male students aged 8–18 years were included through convenience sampling. Visual acuity screening and basic ocular examination were performed, and reading posture, near-work duration, rhythmic swaying, and convergence recovery were assessed. Near point of convergence recovery was measured in centimeters using a RAF ruler. Associations were analyzed using Chi-square testing and independent-samples t-test. Results: Rhythmic swaying was observed in 238 students (66.3%), while 121 students (33.7%) showed no swaying. Students with swaying had significantly poorer mean convergence recovery than non-swaying students (11.82 ± 3.18 cm vs. 8.96 ± 2.76 cm; mean difference 2.86 cm; p < 0.001). Impaired convergence recovery was more frequent among swaying students than non-swaying students (58.8% vs. 28.1%; OR = 3.66, 95% CI: 2.28–5.87; p < 0.001). Swaying prevalence increased progressively from upright posture (37.2%) to severe neck bending (96.2%). Conclusion: Rhythmic swaying during near-task reading was significantly associated with impaired convergence recovery among madrasa students. Screening for convergence recovery and reading posture may help identify students at risk of binocular vision dysfunction
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
1. Khan S, Shah M, Jan S, Hassan J, Khan A. Frequency of myopia and its associated risk factors among madrassa students in Pakistan. Pak J Ophthalmol. 2025;41(3). doi:10.36351/pjo.v41i3.1944.
2. Mansoori N, Mubeen SM, Ishtiaq S, et al. Frequency of ocular morbidities among children and adolescents enrolled in conventional schools and religious schools (madaris) in Karachi, Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc. 2024;74(4):678-683.
3. Yadav S, Karn RR, Thakur SK, et al. Prevalence of refractive error and its association with different variables in children living in the Koshi Rural Municipality of Sunsari district, Nepal. Nepal J Ophthalmol. 2023;15(1):45-52.
4. Zahra T, Hussain I, Munawar S, et al. Prevalence of refractive errors and factors related to it among madrassa students in district Sialkot. Pak J Med Health Sci. 2020;14(3):1122-1126.
5. Cai HM, Li MY, Cao Y, et al. Effects of artificial natural light on the development of myopia in elementary school students in China. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024;142(3):215-223.
6. Jiang D, Shi B, et al. Association between reading and writing postures and myopia among school students in Ningbo, China. Chin J Ophthalmol. 2022;58(4):278-285.
7. Shahid S, Rauf SA, Dastgir S, Ali F. Association of asthenopia with refractive errors in madrassa students. Pak J Ophthalmol. 2023;39(2):145-151.
8. AlQurashi M, Ibrahim A, et al. Prevalence of refractive errors in school-going children of Taif region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Ophthalmol. 2022;36(2):156-162.
9. Sawant M, Kumar R, et al. Prevalence of refractive errors among school-going adolescents in District Samba of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Indian J Community Health. 2025;37(1):78-84.
10. Bhattacharya B, Sharma P, Kumar A. Short-term changes in accommodative and vergence parameters following sustained near work in young adults. J Binocul Vis Ocul Motil. 2024;74(2):67-74.
11. Jaiswal S, Asper L, Long J, Lee A, Golebiowski B. Ocular and visual discomfort associated with smartphones: a review. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2020;40(5):435-449.
12. Qin M, Shi WX, Shan X, et al. A generalized additive model analysis of school classroom environment and students' refractive state progression. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):5678.
13. Pan W, Wen L, Yi X, Gong Y, et al. Outdoor scene classrooms arrest myopia development. Ophthalmology. 2025;132(2):189-197.
14. Shneor E, Ostrin LA, Jones-Jordan L, et al. Twelve-month refractive and axial length changes in the Israeli refractive error, activity, and devices study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2025;66(3):45.
15. Poudel S, Rahimi H, Nasrabadi N, Jin J, et al. Differences in visual stimulation between reading and walking and implications for myopia development. J Vis. 2023;23(5):12.
16. Chen J, Li K, Wang Y, Zhang H. Cervical proprioception and its influence on ocular motor control: a systematic review. Front Neurosci. 2023;17:1125678.
17. Rosenfield M. Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2020;40(5):545-556.
18. Menjivar AM, Kulp MT, Mitchell GL, Toole AJ, Reuter K. Screening for convergence insufficiency in school-age children. Optom Vis Sci. 2021;98(8):890-897.
19. Hwang H, Park M. Longitudinal changes in binocular vision parameters among medical students during intensive academic training. Korean J Ophthalmol. 2023;37(4):298-305.
20. Wang Y, Zhang L, Xu L, Wei S, Feng K, Zhou J. Association between near work and visual symptoms in university students: a cross-sectional study. BMC Ophthalmol. 2022;22(1):187.
21. Maharwal A, Goyal A. A review of knowledge, awareness, and practice among eye care professionals towards convergence insufficiency: prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment innovations in young adults. Int J Community Med Public Health. 2025;12(2):987-999.
22. Scheiman M, Kulp MT, Cotter SA, Lawrenson JG, Wang L, Li T. Interventions for convergence insufficiency: a network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;12(12):CD006768.
23. Ehrlich DL. Near vision stress: vergence adaptation and accommodative fatigue. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 1987;7(4):353-357.
24. Huang SY, Cheng CY, Su CC, et al. Prevalence and diagnostic signs of convergence insufficiency among schoolchildren in Kaohsiung, Taiwan: a cross-sectional study. Taiwan J Ophthalmol. 2026;16(1):45-52.
25. McGregor ML. Convergence insufficiency and vision therapy. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2014;61(3):621-630.