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

You've spotted a smooth, red lump in the corner of your dog's eye. It looks like a tiny cherry, and it wasn't there yesterday. It's alarming, but it's a well-known problem with a clear fix.

Cherry eye is common in certain breeds, usually in young dogs. This guide explains what's happening inside the eye, why surgery is the answer, and what to expect afterward.

What is cherry eye?

Dogs have three eyelids. Two are the upper and lower lids you can see. The third sits in the inner corner, tucked under the lower lid. It's a thin membrane that sweeps across the eye like a windshield wiper. A gland attached to it makes a large share of your dog's tears.

In cherry eye, that gland slips out of place and pops up over the edge of the eyelid. The medical name is prolapse of the third eyelid gland. It appears as a red or pink mass near the nose side of the eye.

Why it happens

The gland is normally held in place by a small fibrous attachment. In some dogs, that anchor is weak. AKC says the exact cause isn't known, but there seems to be a genetic component. It may also relate to head structure. Allergies or irritation can add swelling.

Think of a tent peg that's too short for the wind. The gland stays put for a while, then pops loose.

What cherry eye looks like

• A smooth, rounded, red or pink lump in the inner corner of the eye
• It may be small or big enough to cover part of the eye surface
• Sometimes it comes and goes, especially at first
• Watery or sticky discharge
• Pawing or rubbing at the eye
• Redness around the eye

It can happen in one eye or both. Even if only one eye is affected first, the other often follows.

Which breeds are most at risk?

VCA lists Cocker Spaniels, Newfoundlands, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Bulldogs, Beagles and other flat-faced breeds as the most susceptible. AKC adds Boxers and Shih Tzus. In practice, you'll often hear about:

AKC reports that most cases appear in dogs under two years old, and about 75 percent happen before age one. That's why we also have a separate page on cherry eye in puppies.

English Bulldog cherry eye

English Bulldogs top most lists. Their shallow eye sockets and loose tissues around the eye make the gland easy to dislodge. If you own one, check your puppy's inner corners regularly. Early treatment is easier than treating a gland that's been exposed for weeks.

Why the gland needs saving

The gland makes up to half of the watery part of your dog's tears. Years ago, vets simply cut cherry eye out. It seemed quick and simple. But dogs that lost the gland often developed dry eye, also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca, in later life.

Dry eye is the condition where the eye doesn't make enough tears. VCA describes red eyes, squinting, excessive blinking and thick yellow discharge, plus scarring and dark pigment on the surface of the eye. Treatment is lifelong. So the standard advice now is clear: the gland shouldn't be removed.

Treatment for cherry eye in dogs

Surgery

Surgical replacement is the standard treatment. AKC describes creating a small pocket from nearby tissue and stitching the gland back into place with absorbable sutures. Your vet will choose a technique that suits your dog's anatomy. If the gland has been out for a long time, or if the surgery has been tried before, a veterinary ophthalmologist may be the best surgeon.

The earlier the gland is replaced, the better. A gland left exposed can dry out, swell and become infected or scarred.

What to do while you wait

Before surgery, vets often suggest keeping the exposed gland moist. VCA mentions artificial tear ointment. AKC mentions a gel-based pharmacy lubricant. Ask your vet which they prefer for your dog. A cone or soft collar prevents your dog from pawing at the eye.

Can eye drops fix it?

Drops alone don't fix the weak attachment. Your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory or antibiotic drops to calm the area before surgery, but the gland usually needs replacing.

Is cherry eye painful or dangerous?

It helps to know what you're up against before deciding how fast to move. Here's the short version of the risk.

Most dogs with cherry eye look more bothered than they are. The gland is soft tissue, and the lump isn't usually a source of sharp pain. The danger is what happens over time.

An exposed gland dries out, gets irritated and can become infected. It can also rub the surface of the eye, causing scratches. Left alone for months, the gland may scar and stop working as well. So it's not an emergency, but it isn't a wait-and-see problem either.

Is it hereditary?

AKC says a genetic component is suspected. If your dog has cherry eye, it's worth telling the breeder, and it's a fair question to ask when you're choosing a puppy from breeds that are prone to it. Ask whether the parents or littermates have had it.

What owners often get wrong

• Treating it with eye drops alone and hoping it shrinks
• Pushing the gland back at home
• Waiting months because the dog seems fine
• Asking for the gland to be removed because it sounds simpler

Spotting the second eye early

Because many dogs eventually develop cherry eye in the opposite eye, it helps to know what the first signs look like. Pull down the lower lid gently once a week and look at the inner corner. A tiny pink bulge, a bit of extra redness or a corner that looks fuller than the other side are all worth a photo and a call to your vet.

Catching a small prolapse early means a smaller gland, less drying and an easier operation.

Surgery recovery and aftercare

Most dogs recover well within a few weeks after surgery. Your vet will give you exact instructions, but you can expect:

• A cone or collar for about two weeks, or as long as your vet advises
• Prescribed eye drops or ointment
• Some redness and swelling at first
• A recheck to make sure the gland is staying put

Does cherry eye look worse after surgery?

The area can look red and puffy for a few days. That's usual after eye surgery and typically settles. Contact your vet if swelling is getting worse, the eye is weeping heavily, the gland looks red and pops out again, or your dog is squinting or in pain.

Can cherry eye come back?

Yes. VCA says about 5 to 20 percent of dogs may experience a re-prolapse. AKC puts the range at 5 to 10 percent. Many dogs also develop cherry eye in the other eye at some point. If the gland keeps coming out, ask for a referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Looking after your dog before surgery

Surgery isn't always booked the same day. You may wait a week or more, so a few habits help protect the eye in the meantime.

Stop the rubbing

Pawing is the biggest risk. Dogs rub because the lump feels strange, and that can scratch the gland or the cornea. A cone or soft collar stops most of it. Trim your dog's nails if they're sharp.

Keep the gland moist

An exposed gland dries out fast. Use only the lubricant your vet recommends, and apply it as they direct. Don't use human redness drops or steroid products.

Watch for changes

Check the eye morning and night. Take note of the size of the lump, the amount of discharge and how wide your dog opens the eye. Photos help your vet see how it has changed. If the surface of the eye turns cloudy, or the squinting starts, call the vet that day.

Questions owners ask before surgery

Is the surgery risky?

All surgery carries some risk, but gland replacement is a routine procedure for vets. Your dog will be under anesthesia, so ask about pre-op checks. Flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs have extra anesthetic considerations because of their short airways, so choose a clinic that is used to them.

How soon should it be done?

As soon as your vet can arrange it. The gland tissue is more likely to swell, dry and scar the longer it stays out.

Does it affect vision?

Cherry eye doesn't usually affect sight on its own. The risks come from the exposed gland drying out and from damage caused by rubbing. Dry eye after gland removal is the bigger long-term threat, which is why replacement is the goal.

Cherry eye or something else?

Not every red lump is cherry eye. A swelling can also come from an eyelid tumor, an abscess, or a prolapse of other tissue. A red, painful, cloudy or watery eye might be a corneal ulcer or glaucoma instead. Our guide to red eyes in dogs explains how to tell the difference. Only a vet can confirm what you're seeing.

When to see a vet

Book a visit within a day or two if you see a red lump in the inner corner of your dog's eye. It isn't a middle-of-the-night emergency, but the sooner it's treated, the better the outcome.

See a vet the same day if you notice squinting, an eye held shut, a cloudy or bulging eye, heavy discharge, or a lump that looks dry, torn or bleeding. These signs can mean the eye surface is damaged.

Don't try to push the gland back yourself, and don't use human eye drops unless a vet tells you to. For more eye and ear guides, visit our ears and eyes section.