The location and development of the neurons that give rise to the corticocollicular projection were studied in C57BL/6J and 129SV/CPorJ anophthalmic mice. The first neurons that project to the superior colliculus appear in the subplate zone at E13 in C57BL/6J mice. Cortical plate neurons reach the colliculus about 2 days later. The appearance and development of these neurons are delayed by about 2 days in the anophthalmic strain.