What is cycloplegia?

Cycloplegia refers to the paralysis of the ciliary muscle, which is responsible for controlling the curvature of the lens in the eye, in addition to affecting the iris muscles that control pupil size. This condition results in the inability of the eye to focus on close objects and often occurs alongside pupil dilation, as the muscles involved in constricting the pupil are also affected.

The correct choice identifies this paralysis specifically as it relates to the iris and pupil. In situations involving cycloplegia, individuals may experience blurred vision for near tasks due to the loss of accommodation, as well as potentially dilated pupils because the muscles responsible for constricting the pupil are not functioning properly. Understanding cycloplegia is important in contexts such as ophthalmology, where medications often induce this condition for diagnostic purposes or during certain eye treatments.