Cherry Eye

Along with all their other super-powers dogs (and cats) have three eyelids. This third eyelid is known as the “nictitating membrane,” and supplies nutrients and oxygen to the eye via tear production.

The membrane is usually anchored to the inner rim of the eyelid by a fibrous attachment. If that attachment point weakens the gland can move up and out of its protective pocket, and the ongoing irritation causes it to become a red/pink swollen mass.

When the third eyelid appears front and centre as a small pink cherry the technical term for it is a prolapsed nictitating membrane. Given a choice, the term cherry eye is so much more descriptive.

Unfortunately for some breeds, cherry eye is a genetic problem, and appears more frequently in breeds with large eyes and shallow eye sockets. If Mum and Dad are affected, chances are higher that the pups will also have the condition, usually appearing in younger dogs between the age of 4 months to two years.

It is important to know that both eyes are likely to be affected, so if it happens in one eye, it is likely to happen in the other. So be sure to keep a lookout for the other eye.

Sometimes cherry eye can correct itself, but often intervention is needed. The more swollen and irritated the cherry eye becomes, the more difficult it is to correct. Keeping the gland moist and protected is important, especially while you decide what treatment approach is best for you and your dog.

There are several options for treatment which include surgical and non-surgical procedures, though surgery is the most common method to correction.

In one method, a surgical procedure is completed to effectively replace the third eyelid gland. Replacement of the gland will greatly reduce your dog’s risk to “dry eye” later in life, and tear production should remain similar – if not the same – to previous levels.

In another method, known as the “pocketing method,” requires suturing of tissue around the prolapse and encasing it in a layer of conjunctiva. This is another common method that surgeons will frequently use.

Another procedure is removal of the gland which used to be the old standard. However, today this is not recommended because it has been shown that complete removal of the gland will reduce tear production in the eye. This reduced tear production leads to other issues later in the dog’s life, including “dry eye.”

Whilst cherry eye is not an emergency, it is important to understand the options and make an informed choice. The Perth Animal Eye Hospital is an excellent place to seek further advice, and a referral can be made by your regular veterinarian.