The relationship between distance accommodation ability and the near point of accommodation (NPA) was investigated following the instillation of a cycloplegic. A high correlation between the two parameters was found (p less than 0.001). It is suggested that the effect of a cycloplegic may be more directly assessed using distance accommodation measurement and, in the case of young children, with more ease. A limit of 0.75 D of distance accommodation ability is suggested as a threshold for satisfactory cycloplegia.