Cherry Eye: What is Cherry Eye and How Is This Condition Treated?
Cherry Eye: What is Cherry Eye and How Is This Condition Treated?Questions about cherry eye are common on this site. Dog owners notice a “cherry red” lump in the corner of their dog’s eye(s) and wonder what it is and what to do about it. What causes this condition, and how is it treated? Find out more in this Cherry Eye FAQ. For the quick version, please see the Cherry Eye Glossary Entry. Answer: Dogs have two tear-producing (lacrimal) glands in each one. One is located in the upper lid, one is the lower lid in a membrane called the third eyelid. The third eyelid is also called the nictitating membrane. Cherry eye is the common term for a prolapse (eversion) of the gland of the third eyelid of dogs. When the gland prolapses, the usually moist tissue is exposed to air and other irritations (i.e. a paw) and blood supply to the gland is interrupted. This produces a very red lump in the inside corner of the eye, or
