Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Accommodation and presbyopia

D A Atchison1

  • 1Centre for Eye Research, School of Optometry, Queensland University of Technology, Red Hill Q, Australia.

Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the Journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)
|July 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Spectacle lens design: a review.

Applied optics·2010
Same author

Optimal spherical focus in the peripheral retina.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·2008
Same author

Refractive index distribution and optical properties of the isolated human lens measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Vision research·2005
Same author

Age-related changes in refractive index distribution and power of the human lens as measured by magnetic resonance micro-imaging in vitro.

Vision research·2002
Same author

The effect of under and over refractive correction on visual performance and spectacle lens acceptance.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·2001
Same author

The gradient index and spherical aberration of the lens of the human eye.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·2001
Same journal

Mesopic Illumination in Natural Environments: Implications for Myopia Research.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·2026
Same journal

Axial Length Growth Reference Curves and LMS Parameters for Japanese Children and Adolescents Aged 4-20 Years: The TMM BirThree Cohort Study.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·2026
Same journal

Effect of Switching Myopia Control Strategies on Axial Elongation in Children with Poor Response to Highly Aspherical Lenslet Therapy.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·2026
Same journal

Quantifying the Role of Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration and Age in Night Vision Disturbances.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·2026
Same journal

Impaired Rod-Mediated Vision is the Functional Hallmark of Ageing and Early and Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·2026
Same journal

Analytical Performance, Spatial Dynamics and Clinically Meaningful Change Thresholds for Automated Non-invasive Tear Film Assessment Using the Oculus Keratograph 5M.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·2026
See all related articles

Presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness, results from declining eye accommodation. This study finds little evidence supporting the Hess-Gullstrand theory, suggesting ciliary muscle changes are not a primary cause of presbyopia.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Physiology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • The mechanism of visual accommodation, the eye's ability to focus on near objects, has been studied for centuries.
  • Accommodation declines with age, leading to presbyopia, a condition affecting close-up vision.
  • Presbyopia is generally attributed to changes in the lens, capsule, or supporting structures of the eye.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current understanding of accommodation mechanisms and presbyopia theories.
  • To evaluate the validity of the Hess-Gullstrand theory of presbyopia.
  • To determine the role of ciliary muscle contractility in presbyopia development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on accommodation and presbyopia.
  • Analysis of theories explaining the decline in accommodative ability with age.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Critical evaluation of the Hess-Gullstrand theory based on available evidence.

    • Main Results:

    • The Hess-Gullstrand theory posits that increased ciliary muscle contraction occurs with age, exceeding the lens and capsule's response.
    • Alternative theories suggest maximum ciliary muscle contraction is required for maximum accommodation beyond a certain age.
    • Evidence overwhelmingly contradicts the Hess-Gullstrand theory.

    Conclusions:

    • The Hess-Gullstrand theory is not supported by current scientific evidence.
    • Changes in ciliary muscle contractility are unlikely to be a significant factor in the development of presbyopia.
    • Further research should focus on other mechanisms within the accommodative system, such as lens and capsule changes.