Total retinal degeneration in apparent anophthalmos of the Syrian hamster.

Anophthalmia in the Syrian hamster was found to result from an extensive degeneration of retinal tissue and tissues derived from the retina. Eyes of affected animals were normal at the twelfth day of gestation (the average gestation period in the Syrian hamster is 16 days). However, the retina of these eyes showed rapid and extensive degeneration during the first two weeks after birth. In adults, the sclera-choroid complex was the only prominent structure of the original eye, with an occasional remnant of deteriorated lens.