Using experimental model of uveitis, the inflammation-associated chemiluminescence was measured by luminol amplification method. The induction of uveitis in Lewis rats was carried out by immunizing bovine S-antigen in complete Freund's adjuvant on hind foot-pad. The chemiluminescence activity from six sets of retina and choroid measured at the peak of inflammation was found to be in the range of 300,000-400,000 counts, amounting to nearly 20-fold increase from non-immunizated control animals under the same conditions. The phagocyte-derived superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical appear to be the two major radicals in the chemiluminescent species. This was revealed by in vitro suppression of chemiluminescence by 5,400 units of superoxide dismutase and 10 mM of D-mannitol. The decreases in counts were 21% and 35% for superoxide dismutase and D-mannitol respectively. The presence of hydrogen peroxide was not established since catalase with dose up to 20,000 units did not cause any significant suppression in counts. In the time sequence studies covering the entire course of uveitis development, the level of chemiluminescent species at day 9 postimmunization increased to 1.5-fold that of day 0, continued to increase to a maximum of 18-fold on day 12 and decreased slowly to about 3-fold in day 19. The pattern of increase appears to coincide with our previous findings in the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, the extent of membrane lipid peroxidation and the degree of retinal degeneration. Thus, these radicals play an important role in initiation as well as perpetuation of the membrane oxidative processes that lead to retinal degeneration.