What is the process called where the lens and pupil adjust to focus light rays on the retina?

The process where the lens and pupil adjust to focus light rays on the retina is known as accommodation. This physiological mechanism allows the eye to effectively focus on objects at varying distances. When an object is located closer to the eye, the ciliary muscles surrounding the lens contract, causing the lens to become more rounded and increasing its refractive power to focus on the nearer object. Conversely, for distant objects, the ciliary muscles relax, allowing the lens to flatten, which is optimal for focusing light from further away.

In terms of context, refraction refers to the bending of light as it passes through different mediums, which is related to the role of the cornea and lens but does not specifically involve adjustments made by the eye itself. Convergence is the inward movement of the eyes toward each other as objects get closer, which assists in depth perception but is separate from the focusing mechanism. Adaptation generally pertains to the eye's adjustment to changes in light intensity but doesn't describe the focusing process on the retina.