Cherry Eye in Dogs: What It Is and How It's Treated

What it usually means

Dogs have a third eyelid, a thin fold of tissue in the inner corner of each eye, with a tear gland at its base. That gland is normally anchored in place by a small band of connective tissue. When the anchor is weak, the gland slips up and out over the edge of the third eyelid, where it swells and turns red because it is exposed to air and rubbing. The result looks like a small cherry sitting in the corner of the eye.

VCA explains that this gland produces up to half of the watery part of the tear film, which is why vets work hard to save it. The AKC notes that about 75 percent of cases occur in dogs under one year old. Breeds most often affected include Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Pugs, Basset Hounds, Shar-Peis, Great Danes, Newfoundlands and Mastiffs, though any dog can develop it.

Signs of cherry eye

The main sign is a smooth, pink to bright red, oval swelling in the inner corner of one eye, near the nose. It may be large enough to cover part of the eye, or small enough that it pops out and back in on its own for a while. Many dogs also have extra tearing or a mild discharge, and some paw or rub at the eye because it feels irritated.

Cherry eye can affect one eye or both, and the AKC notes that many dogs with one prolapsed gland later develop it in the other eye. Other problems can cause a lump in the corner of the eye, including a scrolled third eyelid cartilage, swelling from injury or infection and, rarely, tumors, so a vet exam is worthwhile even when it looks typical.

When to call your vet today

Book a visit within a few days of first noticing the swelling. The AKC describes cherry eye as not an emergency but advises getting it seen soon, because a gland left out for a long time becomes more swollen and harder to put back. Early treatment gives the best chance of the gland staying in place and working normally.

Call sooner if the eye looks cloudy, the swelling is bleeding, there is thick yellow or green discharge, your dog is squinting, or it is rubbing the eye constantly. Those signs suggest the surface of the eye may be scratched or infected, which needs prompt treatment.

When it's an emergency

Cherry eye alone is not an emergency. Go to your vet or the nearest emergency vet the same day, however, if your dog has sudden eye pain with tight squinting, the eye looks blue or very cloudy, the eyeball itself seems to bulge forward, or there has been an injury to the face or eye.

An eye that bulges out of its socket, a common risk in flat-faced breeds after a knock or rough play, is a true emergency that needs immediate care. Keep the eye moist with a clean, wet cloth on the way and stop your dog rubbing it.

What you can safely do at home

Until your vet sees your dog, the goal is to keep the exposed gland moist and protected. The AKC suggests a plain lubricating eye gel, and VCA mentions artificial tear ointment to keep the eye lubricated until surgery; ask your vet which product to use. A soft cone stops pawing and rubbing that can injure the gland or the eye.

Do not try to push the gland back yourself unless your vet has shown you how, and never use human eye drops that contain medicine, redness relievers or steroids. Keep the area clean with a soft, damp cloth wiped away from the eye, and keep your dog out of dusty or windy places.

If your dog paws or rubs at the eye, ask your vet whether a dog cone should be used until the appointment.

What the vet will likely check

Your vet will examine both eyes, look at the third eyelid and its cartilage, and may stain the eye to check for scratches. A tear production test, called a Schirmer tear test, measures how many tears each eye makes, which helps plan treatment and spot early dry eye.

Occasionally a newly prolapsed gland can be gently massaged back into place, though it often pops out again. The usual treatment is surgery that anchors the gland back in its normal position, often by tucking it into a small pocket of tissue. VCA reports that removal of the gland is not recommended except in rare cases. Most glands look normal within a few weeks of surgery, and both sources note that a minority of dogs, roughly 5 to 20 percent, need a second operation.

Prevention and aftercare

Cherry eye cannot be prevented, because it comes down to how the gland is anchored, which is largely inherited. If you have a breed at higher risk, check your dog's eyes during grooming and get any new swelling seen early, since prompt repair has the best results.

After surgery, follow your vet's instructions closely: use any prescribed eye medicine as directed, keep the cone on so your dog cannot rub the eye, and attend the recheck. Watch the other eye too, as it may develop the same problem later, and keep up regular eye checks to catch dry eye early.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.