The role of nerve conduction was studied in acute experimental uveitis caused by antidromic trigeminal nerve stimulation, prostaglandin E1 and E2 (PGE1 and PGE2), capsaicin and substance P (SP). Systemic indomethacin was used to prevent formation of endogenous prostaglandins, and intracameral injection of tetrodotoxin (TTX) was used to block nerve conduction. 10 micrograms TTX prevented the miosis and reduced the rise in intraocular pressure (IOP) usually caused by antidromic trigeminal nerve stimulation. At a low dose of PGE1 the IOP rise was blocked by TTX. At higher doses of PGE1 and PGE2 the pressure effect was not blocked by TTX; the miotic effect was markedly diminished. Capsaicin caused a rise in IOP that was almost totally blocked by TTX, while the miosis at high doses seemed unaffected. At low doses, capsaicin-induced miosis could be abolished by TTX. SP caused miosis in TTX treated eyes similar to that in untreated eyes; the IOP rise was delayed by TTX. The results indicate that nerve conduction plays a role in the IOP reaction caused by low doses of PGE1 and by capsaicin and SP. The mechanism suggested is an axon reflex, elicited in the anterior uvea and resulting in transmitter release in the ciliary processes. Nerve conduction with release of SP or a similar substance in the iris seems to be required for the miotic effects of PGE1 and PGE2. SP and capsaicin are similar in not requiring nerve conduction to cause miosis, but the capsaicin effect probably requires presence of nerves, since denervated eyes--which respond to SP--have been reported no to respond to capsaicin does similar to those used here.