Understanding the extraocular muscles: connective tissue, motor endplates and the cytoskeleton

Abstract

We constantly direct our eyes to the object of interest with the help of the extraocular muscles, and thereby use foveal fixation to attain the best possible visual acuity. The muscles around the eye are rather different from other skeletal muscles, being, for example, simultaneously the fastest muscles in the body and impossible to exhaust. The most exciting property of the extraocular muscles is their unique response to disease, as they often remain unaffected in muscle conditions which lead to severe handicap and premature death. Understanding the coping strategies that allow the extraocular muscles to remain unaffected may provide clues for the future treatment of severe diseases such as muscle dystrophies.