The short ciliary nerves are a group of about 6-10 fine nerves that leave the front of the ciliary ganglion and pierce the back of the eyeball around the optic nerve. They carry postganglionic parasympathetic fibres to the pupil and focusing muscle, sympathetic fibres to the blood vessels of the eye, and sensory fibres from the eyeball. They then run forward between the sclera and choroid.
| Origin | Ciliary ganglion, carrying parasympathetic fibres from the oculomotor nerve, sympathetic fibres from the internal carotid plexus and sensory fibres of the nasociliary nerve |
|---|---|
| Course | Pass forward around the optic nerve, pierce the sclera near the optic nerve and run forward between the sclera and choroid to the ciliary body and iris |
| Motor |
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| Sensory |
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Injury to the short ciliary nerves produces the same tonic pupil as damage to the ciliary ganglion itself, with poor light reaction and slow, sustained constriction to near effort. They can be damaged by retrobulbar injections, orbital surgery, posterior scleral procedures and laser treatment of the peripheral retina. Because they also carry corneal sensory fibres, extensive damage can reduce corneal sensation.
Extensive laser photocoagulation, retinal detachment surgery or retrobulbar injection can damage the short ciliary nerves, leaving a dilated, poorly reactive pupil and reduced accommodation.
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