HISTOLOGY OF THE CILIARY MUSCLE-ZONULAR CONNECTIONS

Ciliary body stroma, stained with Periodic Acid Schiff and metanil yel low, examined by polarized light and transmission electron microscopy, reveals the presence of collagen fibers which connect the anterior ra dial muscle fibers to the posterior ciliary sulcus and collagen fibers that connect the circular muscle fibers to the ciliary processes; Rou tine histologic staining confirms the presence of collagen fibers that connect the posterior radial and posterior longitudinal muscle fibers to the epithelium of the pars plana (orbiculus ciliaris). These strom al collagen fibers can transduce the force of contraction from each of the functional ciliary muscle fiber groups to their respective zonule s. These anatomical findings are consistent with Schachar's explanatio n of the mechanism of accommodation.