What is accommodation in relation to vision?

Accommodation refers to the eye's ability to change its focus between distant and near objects. This process involves the lens of the eye becoming thicker or thinner, which allows light to be focused appropriately on the retina. When an object is closer, the ciliary muscles contract, making the lens more rounded, increasing its curvature to refract light adequately for clear vision. Conversely, when viewing distant objects, the ciliary muscles relax, causing the lens to flatten, allowing for proper focus. This dynamic adjustment is essential for maintaining clear vision across varying distances and is a key concept in understanding how the visual system adapts to different focal lengths.