Retinal astrocytic hamartomas: unexpected findings in a giant panda.

We report the unexpected findings of bilateral retinal astrocytic hamartomas in a giant panda. The eyes of Hsing-Hsing, a giant panda that had renal failure, chronic hypertension, degenerative joint disease, and progressive ulcerative keratitis, were examined grossly and histologically. Most of the findings were related to Hsing-Hsing’s debilitated condition or to normal anatomic variations between giant pandas and humans. These f indings included anatomic features typical of a carnivore and metastatic calcification of the cornea and tapetum secondary to renal failure, retinal arteriolar sclerosis and hemorrhage due to hypertension, and bilateral corneal ulcers due to septicemia. Bilateral retinal astrocytic hamartomas were also unexpectedly found. The clinical importance of retinal astrocytic hamartomas is discussed.