The retina is the neurological structure in the back of the eye which receives light and converts it into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is transmitted to the brain by way of the optic nerve and is interpreted by the brain as vision. The embryological development of the retina is quite complex.
Retinal dysplasia is a type of retinal malformation.
Retinal dysplasia occurs when the 2 primitive layers of the retina do not form together properly. Mild dysplasia manifests as folds in the inner retinal layer. In the severe form of dysplasia, the 2 retinal layers do not come together at all and retinal detachment occurs. Retinal dysplasia is not progressive. It is a congenital defect and animals are born with as severe a condition as they will ever get.