Observation of Ciliary Body Changes during Accommodation Using Anterior OCT

Aim : To evaluate the anatomical changes in the ciliary body (CB) during naturally stimulated accommodation in children using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods : This study was a prospective, observational, noncomparative case series included 18 eyes of 9 children (8 males and 1female) aged from 4 to 10 years. Ciliary body thickness (CBT) was measured temporally by Anterior OCT at 1, 2 and 3 mm posterior to the scleral spur. Measurements were performed in the accommodated state and the unaccommodated state (with cycloplegia). Results : The mean CBT significantly increased by accommodation at 1 mm posterior to the scleral spur from 751±42 to 818±40 μm(P<0.001) and significantly decreased at 2 and 3mm from 506±66 to 445±59 μm and from 290±54 to 240±50 μm respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion : During accommodation, the anterior portion of the ciliary body thickens, while the posterior portion decreases in thickness. These findings imply that the circular ciliary muscles are mainly involved in accommodation and not the longitudinal muscles.