How is the curvature of the eye lens modified, and what role do the ciliary muscles play in this process?

The curvature of the eye lens is modified through a process called accommodation. The ciliary muscles, situated around the lens, play a key role in this adjustment. When focusing on nearby objects, the ciliary muscles contract, reducing tension on the suspensory ligaments attached to the lens. This allows the lens to become more spherical, increasing its refractive power to focus the incoming light. Conversely, for distant vision, the ciliary muscles relax, allowing the suspensory ligaments to pull the lens into a flatter shape. This dynamic change in lens curvature, controlled by the ciliary muscles, enables the eye to focus on objects at varying distances.