What is the process called where the lens changes shape to allow focusing on a near target?

The process where the lens changes shape to allow focusing on a near target is called accommodation. This is a crucial function of the eye that enables individuals to see clearly at different distances. When focusing on a near object, the ciliary muscles contract, which allows the lens to become thicker and increase its curvature. This change in lens shape increases its optical power, allowing the eye to focus light correctly onto the retina.

Accommodation is essential for near vision tasks, such as reading or viewing close objects. As one ages, the ability to accommodate often diminishes, leading to presbyopia, which is the difficulty in focusing on close objects due to the lens becoming less flexible over time. The other options do not describe this specific process related to focusing for near vision. For example, refraction refers to the bending of light rays as they enter the eye, convergence involves the inward movement of both eyes towards each other, and diversion is not a term typically used in the context of vision.