Fluctuations in accommodation: a review.

When a young observer attempts to accommodate steadily on a fixed stimulus, the nominally steady-state response shows small instabilities or fluctuations (sometimes termed microfluctuations or oscillations). These fluctuations typically have an amplitude of a few tenths of a dioptre and a frequency spectrum extending up to a few Hertz. The properties of these fluctuations are described for various viewing conditions: pupil diameter, target vergence, target form, target contrast, and target luminance all influence the frequency spectra of the oscillations, as may anomalies of vision such as amblyopia. The possible roles that the fluctuations might play in the function of the accommodative system are discussed. It is suggested that the higher frequency components around 2 Hz may arise from the mechanical and elastic characteristics of the lens, zonule and ciliary body. Components at lower frequencies (less than 0.5 Hz) may be of more significance in the function of the accommodative control system.