The Role of Lighting Quality on the Risk of Visual Fatigue in Tahfidz Learning in Islamic Schools: A Literature Review
Abstract
Classroom lighting plays a crucial role in supporting students' visual health. Inadequate lighting conditions may increase ocular accommodation load and trigger visual fatigue, particularly in Tahfidz learning activities that require sustained visual concentration over extended periods. Poor visual environments can negatively affect learning comfort, academic performance, and eye health. This study employs an integrative literature review approach by analyzing 20 open-access empirical and review articles related to classroom lighting quality and visual fatigue risk. The findings indicate that low illuminance, uneven light distribution, glare exposure, and suboptimal lighting quality are consistently associated with increased visual discomfort. In the context of Tahfidz learning, the risk is amplified due to intensive reading of Qur'anic text, which requires higher visual precision, recognition of small text, and prolonged near-vision tasks. The evidence suggests that classroom lighting is a key determinant of students' visual health. Lighting interventions, including glare control, window management, appropriate lighting selection, and regular illuminance evaluation, are essential to prevent visual fatigue in Tahfidz classrooms. This study highlights that lighting should be considered not only as a design factor but also as an environmental health concern.
Downloads
References
Aghajari, S., & Chen, C.-C. (2025). Optimizing classroom lighting for enhanced visual comfort and reduced energy consumption. Buildings, 15(8), 1233. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081233
Ahmad, E. F., Putri, D. E., & Putri, E. C. (2022). The relationship of lighting intensity with eye fatigue in workers at Mekar Armada Jaya Inc. Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure and Built Environment, 220–227.
Alnawmasi, M. M. (2025). The impact of convergence insufficiency on selective visual attention among university students. PLOS One, 20(11), e0336715. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0336715
Biswas, S., Kareh, A. E., Qureshi, M., et al. (2024). The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia. Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 43(7), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7
Castilla, N., Trujillo, J. L. H., & Llinares, C. (2025). The effects of illuminance on students' memory: A neuroarchitectural study. Building and Environment, 228, 109833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109833
Çelik, M., Didikoğlu, A., & Kazanasmaz, T. (2025). Optimizing lighting design in educational settings for enhanced cognitive performance: A literature review. Energy and Buildings, 328, 115180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.115180
Dang, R., Liu, Y., & Chang, S. (2023). The impact patterns of classroom lighting parameters on visual fatigue and a mathematical model. Building and Environment, 234, 110193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110193
Desiana, P. A., Alkadri, M. F., & Dewi, O. C. (n.d.). Enhancing thermal and visual comfort through sun shading and glazing: A case study of Pusgiwa Building, University of Indonesia. Sustinere.
Gao, B., Fu, Y., Gao, J., Liu, H., & Gao, W. (2025). Effects of the light environment in elementary school classrooms on students' cognitive performance and galvanic skin indicators. Indoor Air, 35, 3122870. https://doi.org/10.1155/ina/3122870
Gao, B., Fu, Y., Gao, J., & Gao, W. (2025). Effects of color temperature in classroom lighting on primary school students' cognitive outcomes: A multidimensional approach for architectural and environmental design. Buildings, 15(16), 2964. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162964
Giang, G. T., & Duong, P. H. (2024). Optimizing classroom lighting: Balancing illuminance uniformity and glare control with LED technology. VNU Journal of Science: Mathematics–Physics, 40(3), 23–30. https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1124/vnumap.4915
Imanialgi, F. N., Syafi'i, M. R., Akbar, M. F. K., & Martana, S. P. (2023). Lighting research in classrooms and studio spaces at UNIKOM. Journal of Design and Architecture, 4(2), 69–80. https://doi.org/10.34010/desa.v4i2.12307
Ionta, S. (2021). Visual neuropsychology in development: Anatomo-functional brain mechanisms of action–perception binding in health and disease. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 15, 689912. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2021.689912
Kaur, K., Gurnani, B., Nayak, S., et al. (2022). Digital eye strain: A comprehensive review. Ophthalmology and Therapy, 11, 1655–1680. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-022-00540-9
Kristanti, S. G., & Rezalti, D. T. (2022). Analysis of the effect of lighting intensity on students' eye fatigue using regression statistical analysis and descriptive analysis methods. IEJST (Industrial Engineering Journal of Universitas Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa), 6(1), 18–24. https://doi.org/10.30738/iejst.v6i1.12897
Laiqa, R. A., Bajwa, M. J., & Dogar, S. R. (2024). Examining the direct influence of classroom lighting quality on students' learning abilities and academic achievement. Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review, 8(4), 197–210. https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2024(8-IV)19
Liu, G., Li, H., & Kang, Y. (2020). Improve the luminous environment in a classroom. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 455, 012195. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/455/1/012195
Llinares, C., Castilla, N., & Trujillo, J. L. H. (2021). Do attention and memory tasks require the same lighting? A study in university classrooms. Sustainability, 13(15), 8374. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158374
Luhar, J., & Rathore, N. (2025). Exploring the emotional impact of lighting on reading experience: An experimental study. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 10(3), 2430–2425. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25mar1531
Mahgoub, M. E., Alhumaidi, A., Osman, B., Alshehhi, R., Khadir, M. A., & AlMahri, S. (2025). A multi-factor path analysis of visual comfort in classrooms: Integrating daylighting, design, and occupant preferences. Architectural Science Review, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2025.2525292
Meng, X., Zhang, M., & Wang, M. (2023). Effects of school indoor visual environment on children's health outcomes: A systematic review. Health & Place, 83, 103021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103021
Nieto-Vallejo, A., Camacho, J. E., Cuervo-Pulido, R., & Hernández-Mihajlovic, E. (2021). Dynamic lighting system to increase the attention of design students in the classroom. Revista Facultad de Ingeniería, 30(55), e12233. https://doi.org/10.19053/01211129.v30.n55.2021.12233
Palupi, S. D., Pratama, V. S. A., Gumilar, V. M. T., Putra, Y. A. P., Bagaskoro, A., & Prasetyo, M. I. H. (2025). Lighting and ventilation of learning spaces for comfort and productivity (Case study of Room B9, Faculty of Engineering, State University of Malang). JUMATISI Jurnal Mahasiswa Teknik Sipil, 6(1), 451–458. https://doi.org/10.24127/jumatisi.v6i1.8471
Qu, G., Ren, L., Liu, G., et al. (2024). The best college classroom light environments have changed: Attributed to the public health issue of decreased sensitivity to students' eyesight. Energy and Buildings, 307, 113948. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.113948
Roy, S., Satvaya, P., & Bhattacharya, S. (2024). Effects of indoor lighting conditions on subjective preferences of task lighting and room aesthetics in an Indian tertiary educational institution. Building and Environment, 249, 111119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.111119
Setiati, T. W., & Budiarto, A. (2021). Optimization of lighting design in classroom for visual comfort (Case study: Universitas Tridinanti Palembang Tower). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 738, 012035. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/738/1/012035
Suwarlan, S. A. (2021). Visual comfort evaluation in classroom lighting through digital architectural computational simulation. ARCADE Architectural Journal, 5(2), 165–170. https://doi.org/10.31848/arcade.v5i2.667
Wicaksana, M. A., & Sirait, S. N. (2024). Relationship between accommodation insufficiency, screen time, and asthenopia symptoms in young adult patients. Jambi Medical Journal, 12(2), 156–162. https://doi.org/10.22437/jmj.v12i2.31573
Wilandika, A., Fatmawati, A., Padhli, F. N., Lusiani, E., & Amalia, M. (2024). Eye yoga exercises to reduce eye fatigue syndrome during online learning. JKKI, 15(3), 300–309. https://doi.org/10.20885/jkki.vol15.iss3.art4
Zaky, H. U. A., Dewi, O. C., Widyarko, & Sulistiani, C. D. (2023). Daylight and artificial lighting integration in achieving lighting uniformity in educational buildings. Journal of Architectural Research and Design Studies, 7(1), 40–49. https://doi.org/10.20885/jars.vol7.iss1.art5
Zhou, A., & Pan, Y. (2023). Effects of indoor lighting environments on paper reading efficiency and brain fatigue: An experimental study. Frontiers in Built Environment, 9, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1303028
Copyright (c) 2026 Diana Novitasari, Mahendra Wardhana
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
