They supply parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve fibers to the ciliary muscle, iris, and cornea.

Damage to the short ciliary nerve may result in loss of the pupillary light reflex, or mydriasis.

[1] They arise from the forepart of the ganglion in two bundles connected with its superior and inferior angles.

They pierce the sclera at the back part of the bulb of the eye, pass forward in delicate grooves on the inner surface of the sclera, and are distributed to the ciliary muscle, iris, and cornea.

Damage to the short ciliary nerve may result in loss of the pupillary light reflex,[2] or mydriasis.