What Is Double Cherry Eye in a Dog?

Dogs may suffer from a number of eye conditions that cause discomfort, drainage and unsightly appearance. The condition called ̶0;cherry eye̶1; is one that results in a bright red protrusion of the third eyelid of the animal. It can be frightening to see. Some breeds are susceptible to this problem, so it's not uncommon for the condition to sometimes occur in both eyes, causing "double cherry eye." Cherry eye conditions may require surgery to return the prolapsed eyelids to their natural position.

  1. What Is Cherry Eye?

    • Dogs have three separate eyelids in their eyes. The third eyelid wraps around cartilage that surround the eye socket in the lower corner of the eye. The eyelid contains a tear gland that is important to the eye health of the animal. This eyelid can shift, or prolapse, out of its original position and create a deep red-colored bulge in the eye, about the size of a cherry. The medical name for the condition is "nictitans gland prolapse." Cherry eye often occurs in puppies and is prevalent in some breeds such as American cocker spaniels, Bulldogs, Shih tzus, poodles and others, according to the Vetz4Petz website.

    Causes of Cherry Eye

    • The exact cause of cherry eye is not fully understood. It appears to be caused by a weakness in the tissues that surround the eye that fail to hold the eyelid in place properly. This prolapsed lid can rub against the cornea of the dog̵7;s eye, causing irritation, ulceration and drainage from the eye. If cherry eye occurs in one of the dog̵7;s eyes, it is likely to occur in the other eventually, causing a double cherry eye condition, because of the tendency for muscles to be weak around the eyelid. If the eyelid becomes irritated, the dog may paw at the area, creating further problems and possible trauma of the tear gland.

    Treatment for Cherry Eye

    • In years past, the veterinary treatment for cherry eye was to remove the gland as if it were a small tumor. However, since that time, a greater understanding of the importance of the tear gland in the third eyelid has been gained. Today̵7;s surgery for cherry eye and double cherry eye use small stitches to reposition the prolapsed eyelid to its normal position. Preserving the gland prevents dry eye problems that can occur in dogs whose third eyelid tear gland has been removed. Unfortunately, cherry eye can recur in some animals, and a second surgery may be necessary, according to the Hope Center for Advanced Veterinary Care website.

    Nonsurgical Treatment for Cherry Eye

    • Nonsurgical treatment for dogs whose health will not allow surgical intervention includes the use of drops, massage of the prolapsed muscle, and watchfulness for signs of infection.