THE ALBINO RETINA - AN ABNORMALITY THAT PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO NORMAL RETINAL DEVELOPMENT

Albino mammals have specific deficits in their retinae and in the patt ern of decussation at their optic chiasm, demonstrating that a melanin -related agent is crucial for normal development of the visual system. Although much attention has been paid to the chiasmatic abnormality o ver the past 30 years, little progress has been made in understanding the abnormality. There has now been a shift of attention towards an an alysis of the developing albino retina, which is providing significant advances in our understanding of the role played by this melanin-rela ted agent, It is now possible to identify one candidate substance that emanates from the synthetic pathway of melanin that plays a key role in regulating retinal development.