Entropion and cherry eye are two of the most common eyelid problems in young dogs. Both are uncomfortable, both can harm the eye if left alone, and both usually respond very well to surgery. Here's what each one is and what treatment involves.
Eye problems can get worse quickly, so it's worth acting early. Watch for:
With entropion, part of the eyelid rolls inward, so fur and lashes rub against the surface of the eye with every blink. It's painful and can lead to ulcers and scarring. Surgery removes a small, carefully measured strip of skin next to the eyelid edge, so the lid sits back in its normal position. Breeds with heavy facial folds or loose skin are most often affected, including Shar-Peis, Chow Chows, Bulldogs, Mastiffs and Rottweilers. In young puppies whose faces are still growing, we may use temporary "tacking" stitches to hold the lids out until the face matures. This avoids over-correcting too early, and some puppies won't need permanent surgery at all.
Dogs have a third eyelid in the inner corner of each eye, with a gland that produces a large share of the eye's tears. With cherry eye, the tissue anchoring that gland weakens and the gland pops out into view. Surgery tucks the gland back into place, usually by creating a small pocket for it in the third eyelid, sometimes with an extra anchoring stitch. We don't remove the gland, because removing it greatly increases the risk of lifelong dry eye. Cherry eye is most common in young dogs, particularly Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus and Cane Corsos.
Both surgeries are done under general anesthesia, with pain management before, during and after. Most dogs go home the same day. Both eyes can often be treated in the same visit if needed.
Some swelling, redness and mild discharge are normal. Your dog must wear a cone at all times to stop them rubbing or scratching the eye. We'll send you home with eye medication and show you how to apply it.
Keep the cone on and continue medications as directed. Avoid rough play, and keep your dog away from dust or tall grass while the eye heals.
Recheck appointment. Skin stitches from entropion surgery are removed at 14 days. For cherry eye, we like to recheck at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. Sometimes there are sutures to remove; otherwise they're dissolvable.
Most dogs are back to normal. For dogs who've had cherry eye, we'll keep an eye on tear production at future visits, as some can develop dry eye later.
Everything above covers what most owners need. If you'd like to know more about why these conditions happen and what affects long-term results, this section walks through it.
For years, prolapsed glands were simply cut off. We now know this gland is one of the eye's main tear producers, and dogs who lose it are much more likely to develop dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). That condition means lifelong daily eye medication and can threaten vision. Tucking the gland back in keeps it working.
The longer the gland stays out, the more swollen and irritated it becomes, and the harder it is to replace. Surgery soon after the gland appears has the best chance of lasting success.
Sometimes an eyelid rolls in because the eye is already sore from an ulcer or infection, and the dog squeezes the lid tightly. This is called spastic entropion. Treating the underlying problem first can fix it without surgery, which is one reason a thorough eye exam comes first.
Most dogs heal smoothly. Cherry eye can return in some dogs, particularly giant breeds and Bulldogs, and may need a second procedure. After entropion surgery, the lid occasionally needs a small adjustment if it's slightly over- or under-corrected. It's also common for the other eye to develop the same problem later, so we'll check both eyes at every visit.
Cherry eye is rare in cats but does occur, most often in Burmese and flat-faced breeds. Entropion is seen occasionally in Persians and in older cats who have lost weight around the eyes. Treatment follows the same principles.
Occasionally a gland slips back by itself, but it almost always comes out again. Surgery is the reliable long-term fix.
Not necessarily. For young puppies with entropion, temporary tacking stitches can protect the eye until they're old enough for a permanent correction, if one is still needed.
Yes, if both eyes are affected they can usually be treated under the same anesthetic.
It depends on the procedure and whether one or both eyes are involved. We'll give you a clear, itemized estimate at your consultation.
