Cherry Eye in Dogs: Causes & Treatment
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Cherry eye is when the tear gland of a dog's third eyelid pops out of place and shows as a red, swollen bump in the inner corner of the eye. It isn't usually painful or an emergency, but it won't fix itself and shouldn't be ignored — the gland produces a big share of the eye's tears. The standard treatment is surgery to reposition the gland, not remove it, because removal raises the risk of lifelong dry eye.
What cherry eye actually is
Dogs have a third eyelid in the inner corner of each eye, and tucked inside it is a gland that produces roughly a third of the eye's tear film. Normally that gland stays hidden. In cherry eye, the small ligament holding it in place gives way and the gland prolapses — flipping up and out into view as a smooth red or pink mass.
It can happen in one eye or both, sometimes weeks or months apart. While it looks alarming, it's a mechanical problem with the gland's anchor, not an infection or a tumor.
Which dogs get it and why
Cherry eye is largely a breed-linked, inherited weakness of that anchoring tissue. It shows up most often in young dogs, usually under two years old. Breeds prone to it include:
- Cocker Spaniels
- Bulldogs (English and French)
- Beagles
- Boston Terriers
- Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus
- Mastiffs and other brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds
Because it's tied to genetics rather than something you did, there's no reliable way to prevent it — but knowing your breed is prone means you can act fast if a red bump appears.
How to recognize it
Cherry eye is usually easy to spot:
- A round, red or pink bump in the inner corner of the eye, near the nose.
- It may appear suddenly, sometimes after play or excitement.
- Some dogs paw at the eye or blink more; others don't seem bothered.
- You may notice discharge or dryness if it's been out for a while.
Practical take: a red bump in the corner of the eye can look like other problems, so it's worth a vet visit to confirm it's cherry eye and rule out injury, infection or a growth.
Why it needs treatment (and not removal)
A prolapsed gland that stays out gets dry, inflamed and swollen, and it can't do its job of making tears. Left alone, cherry eye raises the risk of chronic dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) — a painful, lifelong condition that can threaten vision.
For decades the gland was simply cut out, but vets now know that removing it sharply increases the risk of dry eye later. The modern standard of care is surgical repositioning — tacking or pocketing the gland back into place so it keeps producing tears. Removal is reserved for rare cases where the gland can't be saved.
Surgery, recovery and outlook
Repositioning surgery is a common, generally successful procedure done by your vet or a veterinary ophthalmologist. Recovery usually involves:
- An e-collar to stop rubbing while the eye heals.
- Eye medications to control inflammation and infection.
- A recheck to confirm the gland is staying put.
Most dogs do very well. The gland can occasionally re-prolapse and need a second procedure, and dogs prone to cherry eye in one eye may develop it in the other — so keep an eye on both. Because dry eye is the main long-term risk, your vet may recommend periodic tear-production checks afterward. Logging the surgery date, medications and any recurrence gives your vet a clear record at follow-ups.
Keep your dog's eye history in one place
Tavi lets you log symptoms, surgery dates, eye medications and photos over time — so if cherry eye recurs or the other eye acts up, you can show your vet exactly when it started and what's been tried. Free for your first pet.
Frequently asked questions
Will cherry eye go away on its own?
No. Cherry eye is a mechanical prolapse of the tear gland and it won't resolve without treatment. Occasionally the gland pops back briefly, but it typically recurs and needs surgical repositioning to fix it properly and protect tear production.
Is cherry eye painful for dogs?
It's usually more irritating than acutely painful at first, and many dogs aren't very bothered. But a gland that stays prolapsed becomes dry, swollen and inflamed over time, and the resulting dry eye can be genuinely painful, so it shouldn't be left untreated.
How much does cherry eye surgery cost?
Costs vary widely by region, clinic and whether a specialist is involved, so ask your vet for an estimate. Repositioning both eyes or seeing a veterinary ophthalmologist costs more, but repositioning is strongly preferred over cheaper gland removal because removal risks lifelong dry eye.
Can cherry eye come back after surgery?
Sometimes. Even with proper repositioning the gland can occasionally slip out again and need a repeat procedure. Dogs that develop cherry eye in one eye are also more likely to develop it in the other, so watch both eyes going forward.
Which breeds are most prone to cherry eye?
It's most common in young dogs of certain breeds, including Cocker Spaniels, English and French Bulldogs, Beagles, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus and Mastiffs. The tendency is inherited, so it can't be reliably prevented.
Tavi's guides are informational and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. When in doubt, call your veterinarian. Sources: American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists; Merck Veterinary Manual; VCA Animal Hospitals; American Kennel Club (AKC)