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Age-Related Changes in the Oculomotor System

  • Chapter
Age-Related Changes of the Human Eye

Part of the book series: Aging Medicine ((AGME))

Abstract

This chapter aims to review the most important parameters in oculomotor control and provide information regarding the functional implications of the age-related changes taking place in the oculomotor system. Age-related changes in muscle fibers such as loss of myofilaments and reduction in mitochondrial content will change the length tension curve of the muscle, making the relationship between the degree of contraction and development of muscle force (i.e., the degree of eye rotation), less predictable. Changes in the pattern of innervation is also likely to interfere with muscle dynamics and thus create an additional variable parameter in the length tension curve. The so-called fibrillen-structure fibers were found to be most affected. These muscle fibers may have more functions than previously assumed. The reduction in ocular motility observed in elderly patients may be caused by age-related changes, either directly through a reduced oculorotatory capacity or indirectly through a reduced ability to manipulate the angle of insertion of the distal tendon during eye rotation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Research Unit, Buskerud University College, Kongsberg, Norway

    J. Richard Bruenech PhD

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  1. J. Richard Bruenech PhD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Morphological Sciences, University of Rome, La Sapienza, Rome, Italy

    Carlo A. P. Cavallotti MD, PhD

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    Luciano Cerulli MD, PhD

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Bruenech, J.R. (2008). Age-Related Changes in the Oculomotor System. In: Cavallotti, C.A.P., Cerulli, L. (eds) Age-Related Changes of the Human Eye. Aging Medicine. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-507-7_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-507-7_20

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-934115-55-8

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