What Is Dog Cherry Eye?
Cherry eye in dogs is a common eye condition in which the gland of the third eyelid (also called the nictitating membrane) prolapses — meaning it pops out of its normal position and becomes visible as a red, round mass in the inner corner of the eye. The medical term is prolapse of the nictitans gland.
Every dog has three eyelids: an upper lid, a lower lid, and a third eyelid that normally rests hidden in the inner corner. The third eyelid contains a gland that produces roughly 30–50% of your dog’s total tear film. When the ligament anchoring this gland weakens, the gland pops out — creating that distinctive cherry-like appearance.
Cherry eye is most common in younger dogs under two years of age and can affect one or both eyes. While it looks alarming, it is rarely an emergency — but it does require veterinary attention to prevent long-term complications.
Which Dog Breeds Are Most Affected?
Certain breeds are genetically predisposed to cherry eye because of the shape of their skulls or the inherent weakness in the connective tissue holding the gland. Breeds most commonly affected include:
- Bulldogs (English and French)
- Beagles
- Cocker Spaniels
- Shih Tzus
- Lhasa Apsos
- Basset Hounds
- Boston Terriers
- Great Danes
- Bloodhounds
- Neapolitan Mastiffs
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds are especially prone due to the shallower orbital structure of their skull. Giant breeds can be vulnerable too, often related to loose connective tissue. If your dog is one of these breeds, regular eye checks are a smart preventive habit.
Signs and Symptoms of Cherry Eye
Cherry eye is usually easy to spot. The most obvious sign is a pink or red oval mass in the inner corner of one or both eyes. Other symptoms may include:
- Excessive tearing or watery discharge
- Squinting or pawing at the eye
- Redness or swelling around the eye
- Thick mucoid discharge if secondary infection develops
- Dry-looking eye if the gland stops producing tears effectively
Some dogs show mild irritation while others seem relatively unbothered. Do not attempt to push the gland back in yourself — this can cause further damage or introduce bacteria. And never try to remove it at home. The gland must be preserved to protect your dog’s tear production for life.
If left untreated, cherry eye can lead to keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or dry eye — a chronic condition requiring lifelong medication. Inflammation, corneal ulcers, and secondary eye infections are also possible complications.
Treatment Options for Cherry Eye in Dogs
The gold-standard treatment is surgical repositioning of the gland — not removal. Veterinary ophthalmologists and experienced general practitioners use techniques like the pocket technique or Morgan pocket technique to tuck the gland back into its proper position and suture it in place.
Why not remove the gland? Old-fashioned treatment involved simply excising the prolapsed gland. This is now strongly discouraged because removing the gland dramatically increases the risk of developing dry eye later in life — a painful condition requiring daily eye drops or ointment forever.
Surgery success rates are generally high (80–95% with experienced surgeons), but the gland can occasionally re-prolapse, requiring a second procedure. Some dogs with bilateral cherry eye (both eyes affected) need two separate surgeries.
Topical medications (anti-inflammatory eye drops) may temporarily reduce swelling but do not permanently fix the prolapse. They can help manage inflammation while you schedule surgery.
Cost: Cherry eye surgery typically ranges from $300–$800 per eye in the United States, depending on the technique used and whether a specialist or general vet performs the procedure.
Recovery and What to Expect After Cherry Eye Surgery
Recovery from cherry eye surgery is generally smooth. Your vet will prescribe antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to be applied for 1–2 weeks post-op. An Elizabethan collar (e-collar) is essential to prevent your dog from pawing at the surgical site.
Most dogs return to normal activity within 2 weeks. Avoid strenuous exercise and swimming during healing. Follow-up appointments are important to confirm the gland is holding in place.
Some owners notice intermittent swelling or mild redness in the weeks following surgery — this is normal as long as the mass hasn’t re-emerged. If you see the red mass returning, contact your vet promptly.
Long-term, dogs who have had cherry eye surgery should have annual eye exams to monitor tear production and check for dry eye — even if the surgery was successful. If your dog does develop KCS years later, treatment with cyclosporine or tacrolimus eye drops can effectively manage the condition.