What is suspensory ligaments eye?

The suspensory ligaments of the eye (also known as zonular fibers) are thin, thread-like strands that connect the lens of the eye to the ciliary body. These ligaments are responsible for holding the lens in its proper position and adjusting its shape during visual focusing.

The suspensory ligaments are part of the ciliary muscle system, which is responsible for controlling the shape of the lens. When the ciliary muscles contract, the suspensory ligaments are pulled, which causes the lens to become more curved and allows for close-up focusing. When these muscles relax, the ligaments loosen, and the lens becomes flatter for distance vision.

Damage or malfunction of the suspensory ligaments can lead to various visual problems, such as cataracts and presbyopia, which is a condition that occurs with age and makes it difficult to focus on close-up objects. A medical procedure called a capsulorhexis can be performed to remove damaged or cloudy lenses and replace them with an artificial lens, which is anchored in place with the suspensory ligaments.