Paralysis of accommodation is a pathology primarily due to damage to which structure?

Paralysis of accommodation is a pathology primarily due to damage to which structure?

• A. Ciliary body
• B. Optic nerve
• C. Lens capsule
• D. Retina

Answer: (A)

Paralysis of accommodation happens when the mechanism that changes the lens shape can no longer contract. Accommodation relies on the ciliary muscle contracting to release tension on the zonular fibers, allowing the lens to become more curved for near focus. This muscle is part of the ciliary body, so damage to the ciliary body stops the contraction and the lens cannot thicken for near vision. The optic nerve and retina are about transmitting and processing visual information, not changing lens shape, and the lens capsule is a passive envelope around the lens. Thus, the structure whose damage most directly causes this condition is the ciliary body.

Paralysis of accommodation happens when the mechanism that changes the lens shape can no longer contract. Accommodation relies on the ciliary muscle contracting to release tension on the zonular fibers, allowing the lens to become more curved for near focus. This muscle is part of the ciliary body, so damage to the ciliary body stops the contraction and the lens cannot thicken for near vision. The optic nerve and retina are about transmitting and processing visual information, not changing lens shape, and the lens capsule is a passive envelope around the lens. Thus, the structure whose damage most directly causes this condition is the ciliary body.