Aim: The molecular mechanisms involved in the development and specification of the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) types have been studied thoroughly in animal models, especially mice. In comparison, human RGCs are much less studied. Our aim was to characterize human RGCs anatomy and molecular markers expression at different fetal life stages in comparison to their mouse orthologues. Methods: The study was conducted on human fetal retinas collected from therapeutic abortion specimens under written informed consent and on C57B6/J mouse retinas. Immunofluorescence staining was performed on vertical anatomically oriented retina cryosections and images taken at a confocal microscope. Results: Using IB4 and Pax2 staining we traced the migrating astrocytes and the formation of intraretinal vascular plexuses and used this as indicators for the local developmental stage of the RGCs. Expression of transctription factors such as Pax6, Islet1/2, Brn3a and Brn3b is similar between the two species, while Brn3c and Tbr2 are less abundant in humans. Inner plexiform layer (IPL) lamination was studied using Calretinin, Calbindin and ChAT and we observed a centrifugal dynamic in sub-lamina delineation, with greater center/periphery variation in humans. Neurotrophin receptors such as TrKs and GFRs differed in their distribution across the IPL between the two species. Conclusion: Human mid-gestational development corresponds to the last embryonic and first postnatal days in mice. Events taking place in this interval include IPL lamination, intraretinal synapse formation, fovea initiation and retinal blood vessels development. Funding: Unitatea Executiva pentru Finantarea Invatamantului Superior, a Cercetarii, Dezvoltarii si Inovarii Grant PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-0333 (RP & TCB)