Cherry eye
[3] In many species, the third eyelid plays an essential role in vision by supplying oxygen and nutrients to the eye via tear production.
[4] Cherry eye is most common in young dogs, especially breeds such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, West Highland White Terrier, Pug, Bloodhound, American Cocker Spaniel, and Boston Terrier.
[6] Some breeds are considered to be more susceptible to its development than others, including the Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Bull Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Cocker Spaniel, St. Bernard, Shar-pei, Shih Tzu and Poodle [7] The NM contains many glands which merge and appear as a single gland.
Symptoms include a visible fleshy mass, abnormal tear production, and a discharge or drainage from the eye.
Surgery involves gland replacement, not excision, by anchoring the membrane to the orbital rim or using a pocket technique.
[5] Reduced tear production is especially problematic in breeds of animals predisposed to Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), also known as dry eye syndrome.
[2] KCS has a wide array of causes including drug toxicity, cherry eye, previous surgery, trauma, and irradiation.
[5] Each of these techniques may be performed with an anterior or superior approach, depending on which direction of suturing will cause the least complications to the eye.
This method was superseded over time due to the risky and difficult nature of the surgery, along with a high rate of recurrence.
[10] Disadvantages of anchoring techniques include restricted mobility of third eyelid, which is essential in the functions of fluid distribution and self-cleaning.
[10] The envelope method, often called the pocket technique, requires suturing of tissue around the prolapse, encasing it in a layer of conjunctiva.
[11] If exposed for extended periods of time, the gland is at risk for trauma, secondary infection, and reduced tear production.
[11] Many complications can arise if left untreated: early closed-eye massage manipulation is recommended to prevent inflammation .
