Cherry eye in dogs appears as a small red bump which protrudes above the third eyelid and which is located in the corner of the eye nearest the nose (pictured below). Cherry eye is actually caused by a prolapse of the nictitans gland, which is a gland which is normally found on the inside of the third eyelid of the dog and is normally not visible.
Causes of Cherry Eye in Dogs
The exact cause of cherry eye in dogs is poorly understood. It has been proposed that a weak attachment between the nictitans gland and the tissue to which it is normally anchored is responsible. Traumatic injuries have also been documented as causing cherry eye on occasion.
Cherry eye can occur in any breed of dog but is more common in certain breeds, such as:
- Cocker Spaniels,
- Beagles,
- Boston Terriers,
- English Bulldogs,
- Lhasa Apsos, and
- Pekingese.
Cherry eye is most common in young dogs and may involve one or both eyes. The cherry eye condition may be present intermittently, with the nictitans gland periodically prolapsing and then returning to its normal location. This intermittent appearance may eventually lead to a permanent prolapse of the gland, causing the cherry eye to be present continually.
Though cherry eye is considered to be an inherited condition in dogs, the part of the condition which is actually inherited is the conformation which predisposes to cherry eye. The mode of inheritance is not fully understood and breeders whose dogs develop cherry eye are still allowed to breed their dogs assuming that the dogs exhibit all other breed characteristics desirable for the breed in question, according to CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) guidelines. Breeders are encouraged, however, to select a mate in which cherry eye is not predisposed.
Consequences of Cherry Eye in Dogs
Besides the obvious unsightly appearance of the cherry eye, the condition may cause no other abnormalities. However, in some instances, conjunctivitis (an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the eye) may be present. There may also be some discharge from the affected eye and tear production in the eye may be decreased as well.
Diagnosing Cherry Eye in Dogs
In most cases, cherry eye can be diagnosed simply by the appearance of the affected eye. However, in cases where the signalment of the case or appearance of the gland is abnormal, the veterinarian may recommend biopsying the affected gland to check for the presence of abnormalities such as cancer of the nictitans gland.
Treatment of Cherry Eye in Dogs
Treatment of cherry eye in the dog is surgical and involves replacing the nictitans gland into its original position. Several surgical procedures are used to replace the nictitans gland. Often, the gland is replaced surgically and then "tacked" into place by anchoring the gland surgically to the rim of the bone below the eye.
Topically applied ophthalmic ointments containing steroids may be used prior to surgery to reduce the size of the gland in order to facilitate easier surgical replacement. Post-surgically, antibiotic ophthalmic ointments may be prescribed together with systemic non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation and control pain. An Elizabethan collar is usually necessary post-surgically to protect the eye from self-trauma as well.
In some instances of surgical repair of a cherry eye, recurrence of the cherry eye may occur.
In past years, the nictitans gland was frequently removed in cases of cherry eye. However, this technique is now considered outdated and can result in insufficient tear production and the development of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS or "dry eye") later in life.
Cherry eye is a commonly seen defect of the eye of the dog which is seen most often in specific breeds. Cherry eye is treated surgically and is considered to be an inherited disorder, though it is not necessarily a deterrent to breeding an affected dog.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
