Shulei Xiao
An animated e-learning resource for teaching accommodation reflex of the eye
About
The lens accommodation reflex is a reflex reaction when the eye looks at a distant object and then focuses on a near object (or vice versa). Known that some undergraduate medical students have difficulty visualising this autonomic reflex of the eye when studying, this online resource is created to offer a 2D animation showing how the lens accommodation reflex work in terms of muscle movement and lens shape change. It can be used by students supplementary to their course.
In this project, a website about the lens accommodation reflex is created, embedded with a 2D educational animation demonstrating how this reflex works. Three main responses of the eye involved in this process are also introduced in relevant 2D anatomical illustrations and written content.
The storyline of this 2D animation begins with an everyday life scene. It then introduces the concept of lens accommodation reflex and moves to the anatomical basis involving neural signalling pathways. The animation ends with a typical clinical case, presbyopia, helping the viewers relate this autonomic reflex to their personal life.
The change of focus
Imagine when you are looking out of the window, a text message comes on the phone. Then your gaze direction changes from the distant landscape to the nearer phone screen. When focusing on a near object from a distant object, the eye is controlled by accommodation reflex.
Three coordinated changes of the eye
In response to near vision, the eyes undergo three coordinated changes: convergence of the eyes, constriction of the pupil, and increase of the curvature of the lens.
The afferent and efferent pathways
The process of the accommodation reflex involves neural signalling via both afferent and efferent pathways.
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