Abstract:Apparent accommodation originates from the residual accommodation function after the absence of classic lens accommodation, serving as a critical theoretical framework in the study of visual function after refractive cataract surgery. Different from Von Helmholtz’s theory, which focuses on lens deformation, it evaluates the overall accommodation capability of the eye excluding the lens, with its mechanisms remaining debated. Apparent accommodation refers to the character that pseudophakic eyes retain a certain degree of refractive accommodation after natural lens removal or intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, despite the loss of physiological accommodation. Integrating both subjective and objective examination methods is crucial for understanding apparent accommodation, which not only advances the study of depth perception but also provides insights into binocular visual coordination in pseudophakic eyes. This paper systematically reviews the historical development of apparent accommodation and the advances in assessment techniques, which have gradually contributed to the re-evaluation and expansion of classical theories of physiological accommodation. Recent studies attempt to decipher the synergistic effects between pupil, corneal, and central cognitive processing by integrating optical parameter measurements with neural adaptation. This reflects a shift in the field from a singular anatomical explanation to a more interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional model.
