Do not panic when you see your dog’s eyes looking scary. When you see a large pinkish ball or a red kind of bump in the corner of the eye of your dog, take a deep breath. This condition is known as cherry eyes, but the official name of this condition is prolapse of the third eye gland.

No, your dog isn’t some supernatural being when we say that they have a third eye gland. Your dog, like every dog, has an upper, and lower eyelid, but along with that they have a third eyelid and associated gland that keeps the eye well lubricated.

When the structure around the gland gets weak, it falls from the normal position and starts sticking out, which makes it look like a cherry. That’s why the name, “cherry eye”, is the cherry that you can’t eat, but it scares you as a dog owner.

The cherry eyes don’t cause any pain, but they can get uncomfortable for dogs and put them at risk of injury and infection.

If you’re wondering how to spot cherry eyes in dogs, then you’re at the right place, let’s find out what you need to know about cherry eye, and the signs, symptoms, and treatment plans you have to look out for:

Don’t get us wrong, we’re not trying to make you an eye surgeon, but you need to understand the anatomy of your dog’s eyes.

The third eyelid of your dog is known as the nictitating membrane. It has a t-shaped cartilage and moves diagonally across the eye. It looks mostly pink with a brown or black edge, which you can spot in any dog.

It produces 30% of your dog's tears as this eyelid has a small tear gland. But the other 70% of the tears of your dog come from the lacrimal gland which can be found above the upper eyelid.

Cherry eyes, or prolapse of the third eyelid happens when the connective tissue of the glands becomes weaker, which makes the gland fall and expand out of its usual location.

Sometimes this condition can affect both of the eyes of your dog. But dogs with longer noses are more at risk of this condition. Moreover, cherry eyes are more common in younger dogs.

Here are other breeds that are more at risk of cherry eyes:

• Pekingese

• Basset Hound

• Lhasa Apso

• Beagle

• Cane Corso

• Bulldog

• Boxer

• Cocker Spaniel

• Maltese

• Neapolitan Mastiff

• Great Dane

• Coton de Tulear

• French Bulldog

• Rottweiler

• Shar Pei

• Shih Tzu

Now that you know everything you wanted to know about cherry eyes, the cherry that you can’t eat but scares you, let’s find out other symptoms:

• Swallowed Eyelid: This is when the eyelids of your dog look swallowed due to the cherry eye.

• Dry Eye: Cherry eyes will make it difficult for the tear gland to produce tears in the eyes, making them eye.

• Pus from the eyes: You might even see pus leaking from your dog’s eyes.

We don’t know. So does anybody else. Not even the doctors know the exact cause of cherry eyes in dogs. Because it is hard to predict what dogs will be affected.

It can be anything like your dog can get it from eating something they’re allergic to or getting into a fight with another dog. But sometimes it can prolapse on its own.

As younger dogs have more allergies they might even get cherry eyes. Some dogs are built that way that it gives them charry eyes, like Bulldogs.

Here’s what to do when your dog has cherry eyes:

• Put a cone: Cherry eyes make more area around your dog’s eyes exposed. This makes them even more prone to irritants. If your dog is rubbing their eyes, put a cone on them so it prevents injury.

• Lubricated: Everything works well when it’s lubricated, be it machinery, engines, and ahm….dog’s eyes. You can do this by applying a gel-based lubricant that you can buy from any pharmacy.

• Get to the vet: The vet will examine your dog for any other issues. They might even massage the gland to make it go back to its normal position. 

Cherry eyes are typically identified by the presence of a pink or reddish mass in the corner of your dog’s eye. This condition commonly occurs in dogs under two years old, with 75% of cases affecting dogs less than one-year-old.

To confirm the diagnosis, your vet will perform a full ophthalmic examination, which includes:

• Checking vision and ocular reflexes to assess the overall health of the eye.

• Measuring eye pressure to rule out other conditions like glaucoma.

• Use a fluorescent dye to inspect the surface of the eye for any scratches or ulcers.

• Conducting the Schirmer tear test , where a strip of paper is placed under the lower eyelid to measure tear production.

In some cases, the third eyelid gland may prolapse and spontaneously return to its normal position several times before permanently protruding. The longer the gland remains prolapsed, the higher the risk of damage to the cartilage of the third eyelid and inflammation of the gland itself.

It’s important to differentiate cherry eye from other conditions like cartilage eversion or third eyelid scrolling, which can resemble it.

Cartilage eversion occurs when the cartilage in the third eyelid becomes bent, either congenitally or due to trauma.

Both conditions can cause a pink bump in the corner of the eye and may sometimes occur together, particularly in large-breed dogs.

Cherry eye treatment involves working on the prolapsed third eyelid gland to prevent complications. Here's what you need to know about treatment options:

The surgical removal of the third eyelid gland was a common practice. However, this is now not done because it increases the risk of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye), a condition caused by less tear production.

Modern surgical techniques involve repositioning the gland rather than removing it. The surgeon creates a small pocket in the tissue to house the gland in its proper position.

Surgery is 100% effective in younger dogs if performed promptly after the gland prolapses.

If the gland has been prolapsed for months or years, it becomes harder to repair. Prolonged prolapse damages the gland and surrounding cartilage, reducing the chances of a successful surgical outcome.

In such cases, surgical intervention may still be attempted, but the gland may not regain full functionality.

Some breeds, such as the American Bulldog , Boxer , and Mastiff , are more prone to cherry eyes even after surgery. These breeds require more follow-up care or additional corrective procedures.

You might be thinking, when is the right time to see a veterinary ophthalmologist for your dog? Well, the answer lies below:

• It has been months: When the gland has been prolapsed for months or even years, that too without any surgery.

• Not staying down: When the gland causing cherry eyes does not stay down even when it is massaged to put it back into place.

• Bent Cartilage: When you see the third eye cartilage bent.

• Post Surgery: When even after you have gotten your dog surgery, the gland has prolapsed again.

• Less Experienced Vet: When the vet is less experienced or less familiar with the breed of your dog.

To give you the bad news, there is no way to prevent cherry eye in dogs. Because sometimes it can be caused by environmental allergens. If your dog is showing signs of allergies that affect their eyes, then visit your vet as they can give prompt treatment and keep the problem in control.

In the end, the cherry eye might look scary, but it’s not the end of the world, or your dog’s comfort. With the right action and the right care, you can tackle the problem head-on, or should we say, eye-on. Remember, your dog isn’t auditioning for a horror movie, so don’t let that pinkish bump intimidate you.

Whether it’s a quick vet visit, a bit of lubricant, or surgery, your dog will be back to their usual self, minus the unsettling eye situation. Just keep an eye on their eyes (pun intended), and you’ll both get through this.

Treatment for cherry eye involves surgery to reposition the gland rather than removing it. This makes sure the gland continues to function and produce tears, reducing the risk of chronic dry eye.

• Surgical Repositioning : A small pocket is created in the tissue to securely house the gland back in its normal position. This method is nearly 100% effective in younger dogs if performed promptly.

• Why Not Remove the Gland? Removing the gland, once a common practice, is now avoided as it increases the likelihood of lifelong dry eye, which can lead to infections and discomfort.

• Temporary Measures : While waiting for surgery, vets might manually massage the gland back into place. However, this is not a permanent fix, and the gland will likely prolapse again.

Cherry eye is not a life-threatening condition, and dogs can live with it if untreated. However, prolonged prolapse can lead to complications, such as chronic inflammation, infection, and dry eye.

• Impact of Prolonged Prolapse : The longer the gland stays out of position, the more damage it sustains. This can make surgical correction less effective or even impossible in severe cases.

• Best Practice : Early treatment is crucial. Prompt surgical intervention not only restores functionality but also prevents discomfort and potential eye health issues.

Cherry eye cannot be permanently treated at home, but you can manage the symptoms temporarily to keep your dog comfortable while awaiting professional care.

• Temporary Relief :

  • Use lubricating eye drops (vet-recommended) to keep the eye moist and prevent dryness.

  • Place an Elizabethan collar (cone) on your dog to stop them from rubbing or scratching the affected eye, which can worsen the condition.

• Do Not Attempt DIY Solutions :

  • Avoid trying to push the gland back into place yourself. This can cause additional damage to the gland and surrounding tissue.

  • Remember, home care is only a short-term solution. Surgery is the only permanent fix for the cherry eye.

The cost of treating cherry eye can vary widely depending on factors like location, the complexity of the case, and the clinic’s expertise.

• Average Costs :

  • Surgery: ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 ($150–$600) on average.

  • Additional expenses include pre-surgical tests, post-surgical medications, and follow-up visits.

  • If complications arise or additional surgeries are required (common in some breeds), costs can increase.