Cherry eye is a prolapse of the gland inside a dog’s third eyelid. It appears as a smooth, round, pink or red mass bulging from the inner corner of the eye. The condition is common in dogs, especially flat-faced breeds, and almost always requires surgical repair to prevent long-term eye problems.
What Causes Cherry Eye
Dogs have a third eyelid (sometimes called the nictitating membrane) tucked in the inner corner of each eye. This third eyelid contains a tear-producing gland that’s normally held in place by connective tissue. Cherry eye happens when that connective tissue is too loose or weak, allowing the gland to pop out of position and become visible as a fleshy red lump.
This is thought to be a hereditary defect, and it overwhelmingly shows up in young dogs. The gland itself is healthy; it’s simply no longer anchored where it belongs. Once exposed, though, the gland can become inflamed, irritated, or infected, and its ability to produce tears may drop.
Breeds at Highest Risk
A large-scale study through the Royal Veterinary College’s VetCompass programme, the world’s largest on cherry eye in dogs, identified 17 breeds at increased risk. Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds are up to seven times more likely to develop the condition than dogs with normal skull length. The researchers found a significant correlation between shorter skull shape and cherry eye risk.
The breeds with the highest odds compared to crossbreeds were:
- Neapolitan Mastiff: 34.3 times more likely
- English Bulldog: 24.1 times more likely
- Lhasa Apso: 12.4 times more likely
- American Cocker Spaniel: 11.6 times more likely
- Puggle (Pug-Beagle cross): 9.5 times more likely
- Great Dane: 6.2 times more likely
- St. Bernard: 5.3 times more likely
Designer crossbreeds with flat-faced parentage are also at elevated risk. Purebred dogs overall were 1.4 times more likely to develop cherry eye than crossbreeds.
How to Recognize It
Cherry eye is hard to miss. You’ll see a smooth, round mass, usually pink or red, protruding from the inner corner of one eye. It can range from pea-sized to large enough to partially obstruct your dog’s vision. Other signs include eye redness, discharge, and your dog pawing at or rubbing the affected eye.
The mass may appear suddenly. Some owners notice it after their dog wakes up from a nap or after a period of excitement. In some cases it pops in and out at first before staying permanently prolapsed. It can occur in one eye or both, though not always at the same time.
Why Surgery Is the Standard Treatment
Surgical repair is almost always recommended. The gland that prolapses is responsible for a significant portion of your dog’s tear production, so simply removing it creates a high risk of chronic dry eye, a painful condition that requires lifelong daily eye drops to manage. For this reason, the goal of surgery is to reposition the gland, not take it out.
The two main surgical techniques are:
The pocket technique. This is the most common procedure. The surgeon makes small incisions in the tissue surrounding the prolapsed gland, tucks the gland back into a “pocket” created underneath, and stitches the tissue closed over it. The gland stays in place and continues producing tears normally.
The tacking technique. This involves anchoring the gland to nearby bone or muscle tissue to hold it in position. It’s effective but can sometimes create slight cosmetic asymmetry in the lower eyelid.
Current evidence doesn’t show a clear winner between the two techniques when it comes to recurrence rates. Your vet or veterinary ophthalmologist will choose based on the individual case.
What to Expect After Surgery
Cherry eye surgery carries an 85 to 90 percent success rate. After the procedure, expect the eye to be red and swollen for roughly 10 to 14 days. Your dog will need to wear a protective cone or collar for the first one to two weeks to prevent rubbing. For giant breeds like Great Danes or Cane Corsos, the Royal Veterinary College recommends protective goggles (such as Optivizor) instead, since a standard cone may not adequately protect their eyes.
Possible complications include sutures loosening and rubbing against the surface of the eye, which can cause a corneal ulcer, or failure of the repair requiring a second surgery. In some cases, the cartilage within the third eyelid may also need correction if it has developed a bend. If the gland prolapses again after the first repair, a repeat procedure using the same or a different technique is typically performed.
What Happens Without Treatment
Left untreated, the exposed gland stays inflamed and progressively loses its ability to produce tears. This puts your dog at significant risk of developing chronic dry eye, a condition called keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Dry eye causes persistent discomfort, recurring eye infections, and can eventually damage the surface of the eye. Managing it requires topical medications for the rest of the dog’s life. Early surgical repair avoids this outcome in the vast majority of cases.
Cost of Cherry Eye Surgery
Prices vary widely depending on your location, whether one or both eyes need repair, and whether you see a general practice vet or a veterinary ophthalmologist. Based on 2024 data, the typical range is $300 to $2,500. Pet insurance claims data from MetLife shows costs clustering between $300 and $800, while specialty eye clinics tend to charge $1,200 to $1,900 for both eyes.
If your dog is a breed at high risk, purchasing pet insurance before any eye issues appear can make a meaningful difference. Cherry eye often shows up in the first year or two of life, so early coverage matters.