If your dog has developed a strange red bump in its eye, you may be dealing with cherry eye. Cherry eye in dogs is also known as a prolapsed third eyelid gland, where the gland loses its attachment to the third eyelid and becomes visible. Cherry eye is a common condition that affects many young dogs, breeds such as Bulldogs and Cocker Spaniels.
This article explains what causes cherry eye in dogs, how to recognize the early-stage symptoms, and available treatment options for your dog's eye health.
🎯 Vet's Insights
Understanding Cherry Eye in Dogs
The age of onset of cherry eye in dogs can vary significantly, ranging from as early as 5 months to as late as 9 years. However, the majority of dogs affected are under 2 years of age, and in most cases, only one eye is affected. Therefore, it's important to note that cherry eye in puppies is not uncommon.
What is Cherry Eye?
Cherry eye is a condition where the lacrimal gland of the third eyelid protrudes from its normal position, becoming visible behind the leading edge of the third eyelid (nictitating membrane). This occurrence is known as the prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid, and it results in a noticeable bulge.
This noticeable bulge resembles a cherry, hence the name “cherry eye.” The gland is responsible for producing tears and other secretions to keep the eye healthy and lubricated.
The Structure of a Dog’s Eye
A dog's eye is quite unique. It has a part humans don't, called the third eyelid or nictitating membrane. This third eyelid helps keep the eye wet and clear of dirt. The third eyelid holds a gland that makes tears, called the lacrimal gland.
Typically, the lacrimal gland is well anchored to the third eyelid via attachments and is not visible. The prolapse of the gland typically occurs spontaneously, without any identifiable precipitating cause.
Common breeds affected
Cherry eye often pops up in some dog breeds more than others. These breeds have a higher chance of getting cherry eye. Here they are:
- American Cocker Spaniels
- Beagles
- Boston Terriers
- Lhasa Apsos
- English Bulldogs
- French Bulldogs
- Chinese Shar-pei
- Newfoundlands
- Pekingese
- Pugs
- Shih Tzus
Identifying the Causes of Cherry Eye in Dogs
Cherry eye in dogs can be caused by a stretched or broken ligament that holds the third eyelid gland in place. When the ligament weakens or breaks, it allows the gland to prolapse or pop out of its normal position.
The exact cause of cherry eye remains unknown; however, certain dog breeds have a hereditary predisposition to this condition. The mode of inheritance has yet to be determined but appears to be complex and potentially involving multiple genes.
Recognizing Symptoms of Cherry Eye in Dogs
With cherry eye, the slipped gland shows up as a pink or red lump in the corner of the eye. It looks like a small cherry, that's why people call it "cherry eye".
You might also notice your dog's eyes discharging more tears than usual, or that the white part of their eyes appears redder. In cases where the gland has been out for a long time, the clear front surface of the eye (the cornea) may become inflamed. It's less common, but sometimes this can lead to ulcers on the cornea.
Despite these symptoms, it's important to know that cherry eye isn't usually painful for your dog. The exception is if the prolapsed gland results in a corneal ulcer, in which case, the eye is very painful and you will see signs such as squinting and excessive pawing at the eye. This is uncommon but can occur.
If you notice any of these signs, it's important to consult with a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosing Cherry Eye in Dogs
A diagnosis of cherry eye is relatively self-explanatory as the mass in the eye is usually quite visible.
Your veterinarian needs to conduct a thorough eye examination for both of your dog's eyes. One of the tests we perform is the Schirmer tear test, which helps us understand if tear production in the affected eye is lower from what's normal. We also compare the results with the unaffected eye for a comprehensive understanding.
Your veterinarian may next look under the third eyelid to rule out any serious conditions like tumors in the tear gland, and to check for other abnormalities.
When to Take Your Dog to Your Vet
If you notice any symptoms of cherry eye in your dog, it's essential to take them to your vet as soon as possible. These symptoms include a red or pink mass in the corner of the eye, thick discharge, and attempts to paw at the eye.
Left untreated, cherry eye can be a source of chronic discomfort and can lead to other issues such as trauma to the surface of the eye (cornea).
Treatment Options for Cherry Eye in Dogs
There are several treatment options for cherry eye in dogs, including cherry eye surgery to replace the gland, eye drops, and pain relief. Discover more about these treatments and find out what happens after cherry eye surgery.
Surgery to Replace the Gland
Surgery is often necessary to treat cherry eye in dogs. One common surgical technique involves replacing the prolapsed third eyelid gland back behind the third eyelid. This helps to restore normal function and prevent further complications.
There are many techniques that your veterinarian can perform to achieve this. The most common would be the pocket technique, commonly referred to as the Morgan Technique. This technique carries a 95% success rate.
Here at Kingsdale Animal Hospital, we use our surgical laser to perform the Morgan Pocket Technique. The surgical laser cauterizes blood vessels, therefore, preventing bleeding which ultimately provides better patient comfort.
Complete surgical removal of the cherry eye is not recommended, as this can lead to lasting issues with tear production and eventually dry eye.
After surgery, the usual course of treatment involves the use of topical antibiotics for a duration of 2 weeks. Additionally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed to manage any discomfort. To prevent interference with the healing process, the application of an Elizabethan collar is necessary for a period of 10-14 days.
Potential Surgical Complications
Fortunately, the risk of post-surgical complications is low. The two main complications include cherry eye recurrence and corneal ulceration.
The risk of recurrence after surgery is approximately 5-6% depending on the study.
As sutures are required to hold the gland back in place these sutures will naturally break down. If they break down where there is a loose, free edge, this could make contact with the surface of the eye (cornea) and create an ulcer.
If you notice any squinting or pawing of the face at any time after surgery, you need to contact your veterinarian ASAP.
What is the Prognosis After Surgery?
The prognosis for successful replacement of a prolapsed gland is generally favorable. Surgical success rates may vary depending on the surgeon's expertise and the technique employed.
It is important to note that recurrence is a possibility with any surgical procedure. Factors such as prolonged duration of the prolapse, significant enlargement or inflammation of the gland, and deformation of the third eyelid can adversely affect the outcome.
Medical Therapy
Topical antibiotic-corticosteroid combination drops can be prescribed to reduce inflammation, with the goal of decreasing the size of the gland. In mild or intermittent cases, once the gland is no longer inflamed, it may return to its normal size and position.
However, it's important to note that medical therapy has limited effectiveness in treating most prolapsed glands.
Prevention of Cherry Eye in Dogs
As cherry eye is primarily a genetic disease, breeding affected dogs needs to be addressed.
According to the guidelines set by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (OFA), a dog previously affected by this condition can still be used for breeding, it is important to exercise caution when selecting a mate.
The goal is to prevent the presence of the same predisposing factors on both sides of the pedigree while ensuring that all other desirable traits of the individual are taken into consideration.
Cherry eye in dogs is a condition where the gland of the third eyelid prolapses or pops out of its normal position. This condition can occur when a ligament is stretched or broken, and some dog breeds are genetically prone to it. Symptoms include a red or pink mass in the corner of the eye, thick discharge, and attempts to paw at the eye. Treatment of cherry eye involves surgery to replace the gland and depending on the technique, the risk of recurrence is low. If your dog is showing symptoms of cherry eye, it's important to take them to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.