Reading Skills in the Visually Impaired: Bibliometric Trends and Thematic Analysis

This study aims to analyze the academic literature on reading skills of visually impaired individuals using bibliometric methods. A total of 419 academic publications from 1981 to 2025, sourced from the Web of Science database, were examined using the bibliometrix package in R Studio. The analysis evaluated annual publication trends, influential authors, institutions, keywords, and thematic clusters. Findings highlight the prominence of technological approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration in the field. Notably, studies focusing on artificial intelligence and assistive technologies aim to enhance the accessibility of reading processes. Additionally, research emphasizing the impact of educational interventions for children underscores the importance of early support for visually impaired individuals. The integration of AI-supported tools with Braille, audiobooks, and tactile technologies has improved accessibility. Geographic analysis reveals that publications are predominantly concentrated in developed countries (e.g., USA, UK, China), indicating a need to enhance research capacity in developing nations. Thematic analysis identifies accessibility, education, and technological adaptations as key focus areas. The study seeks to contribute to the development of more inclusive reading strategies for the visually impaired. Future research should prioritize applied studies on integrating AI-driven technologies with pedagogical approaches and encourage multilingual data analyses.