Retinal abnormalities in the Siamese cat

Abstract

Ganglion cell density maps of the retinas of Siamese cats show the same major features of ganglion cell distribution as are found in normally pigmented cats, in particular the area centralis and visual streak. In the retinas of the seven Siamese cats investigated, however, the area centralis was “underdeveloped” when compared with the normally pigmented cat. The beak ganglion cell density was lower and the ganglion cells usually larger than at the area centralis of the normally pigmented cat, and the characteristic blood vessel pattern around the area centralis was less developed. One animal showed a marked blood vessel abnormality, a vessel crossing the area centralis in each retina. In another animal, the distribution of ganglion cells appeared abnormal throughout the retina. Medium‐sized, possibly X‐type ganglion cells were lacking from all retinal areas, overall cell numbers were low and the distribution of ganglion cells showed a prominent visual streak.