Cherry Eye

By Liz Mallia Dog Parenting Center, Health care Comments Off

Not to be confused with a sweet fruit pie or the famous Swedish musician Eagle-Eye Cherry, “Cherry Eye” is the common term for a medical condition more properly called Prolapse of the Gland of the Third Eyelid.

This condition can be incredibly painful for the dog and deeply distressing for their human to witness. Luckily, it is highly treatable if spotted and addressed quickly. Here is a breakdown of how to recognize Cherry Eye, what causes it, and how to get your dog’s vision back on track.

What is the Third Eyelid?

Did you know that dogs actually have three eyelids? In addition to the upper and lower eyelids that we have, dogs possess a nictitating membrane—a third eyelid located on the inner corner of the eye, hidden under the lower lid.

The purpose of this third eyelid is to provide an extra layer of physical protection to the cornea. Even more importantly, it houses a special tear gland that is responsible for producing up to 50% of the watery portion of your dog’s tears. It is absolutely vital for keeping the canine eye lubricated and healthy.

What is Cherry Eye?

When a dog develops Cherry Eye, the connective tissue that normally anchors this tear gland in place becomes damaged or is naturally too weak. As a result, the gland comes loose, flips inside out, and prolapses (pops out) from its hidden position at the inner corner of the eye.

Once exposed to the dry air and dust, the gland quickly becomes inflamed, swollen, and red.

How to Spot the Symptoms

If your dog develops this condition, the signs are usually very obvious:

The “Cherry”: You will see a reddish, fleshy bump sticking out and covering part of the eye, typically originating from the inner corner next to the nose.
Irritation: Your dog may constantly paw, scratch, or rub their face against the carpet.
Discharge: There may be abnormal tear production, watery eyes, or thick mucous discharge.

What Causes It?

The exact cause of Cherry Eye is not completely understood, but genetics play a massive role. It is heavily linked to a congenital weakness of the connective tissue in the eye.

Certain breeds are highly predisposed to developing Cherry Eye, particularly brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs and dogs with loose facial skin. Commonly affected breeds include:

Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
Boston Terriers
Cocker Spaniels
Beagles
Bloodhounds
Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus

The Risks of Leaving it Untreated

If Cherry Eye is ignored, it will not resolve on its own. The longer the gland is exposed, the more swollen and irritated it becomes. Because the gland cannot produce tears properly while prolapsed, your dog can develop “dry eye” (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca), which can permanently impair their vision. Additionally, if the dog scratches the swollen mass, they risk causing severe corneal ulcers and secondary bacterial infections.

Treatment Options

The primary goal of treatment is to return the gland to its proper position so it can continue producing vital tears.

Conservative (Non-Surgical) Treatment: If the Cherry Eye is spotted incredibly early, it is sometimes possible to treat it without surgery. A veterinarian may prescribe specific anti-inflammatory canine eye drops and demonstrate a specialized, closed-eye massage technique to gently coax the gland back into place. Note: You should never attempt to massage the eye without veterinary guidance, as you can easily scratch the cornea. Even if successful, conservative treatment does not guarantee the gland won’t pop back out.
Surgical Treatment: For severe or recurring Cherry Eye, surgery is required. The most common and successful method is the “pocket technique,” where the surgeon creates a small pocket in the conjunctiva and gently tucks the gland back into its natural position, stitching it securely in place.

Important Note: In the past, vets used to simply cut the prolapsed gland out. This practice is now highly discouraged because removing the gland almost always guarantees the dog will suffer from chronic, severe dry eye later in life.

The good news is that corrective surgery is usually very effective, and the gland should be functioning normally within a few weeks post-operation, leaving your dog comfortable, happy, and seeing clearly once again.