Cherry Eye in Cats: Causes, Treatment & Surgery
- Cherry eye is a prolapse of the tear gland in the third eyelid, usually seen as a smooth pink or red bulge in the inner corner of the eye.
- It is less common in cats than dogs, but it is reported more often in Persian and Burmese cats and may affect one or both eyes.
- A swollen third eyelid is not always cherry eye. Your vet may also need to rule out conjunctivitis, a mass, everted cartilage, corneal pain, or other eye disease.
- Surgery to replace and preserve the gland is the standard treatment in most confirmed cases. Gland removal is usually avoided because the gland contributes meaningfully to tear production.
- Typical 2025-2026 US cost range is about $150-$350 for exam and medical support, $500-$1,200 for routine surgical repair, and $1,200-$2,200+ with a veterinary ophthalmologist or for recurrent cases.
What Is Cherry Eye in Cats?
Cherry eye is the common name for prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid, also called the nictitating membrane. Cats have a third eyelid tucked into the inner corner of each eye. That tissue helps protect the eye, and its gland contributes a meaningful portion of the tear film that keeps the eye moist and comfortable.
When the connective tissue holding that gland in place weakens, the gland can slip out and become visible as a rounded pink or red swelling. Pet parents often describe it as a "bubble," "lump," or "red cherry" in the corner of the eye. It may appear suddenly, and in some cats it can seem to come and go at first.
Cherry eye is uncommon in cats, especially compared with dogs. Still, it does happen, and reports suggest it is seen more often in Persian and Burmese cats. Because several other eye problems can look similar, a visible third eyelid or red mass should always be checked by your vet.
Signs of Cherry Eye in Cats
- Pink or red rounded mass in the inner corner of one eye, sometimes both
- Visible third eyelid that looks swollen or raised
- Watery, clear, or mucus-like eye discharge
- Squinting, blinking more than usual, or holding the eye partly closed
- Pawing at the eye or rubbing the face, which can worsen irritation
- Redness of the surrounding tissues or mild secondary conjunctivitis
- Dry-looking eye, thicker discharge, or recurrent irritation if the gland has been prolapsed for a while
A classic cherry eye often looks dramatic, but the gland itself is not always very painful at first. The bigger concern is ongoing exposure, inflammation, rubbing, and reduced tear support over time. See your vet promptly if you notice a new pink mass, squinting, discharge, or any change in the appearance of the third eyelid. See your vet immediately if the eye looks cloudy, very red, very painful, suddenly swollen shut, or if your cat seems unable to see normally.
What Causes Cherry Eye in Cats?
The usual underlying problem is weakness in the fibrous attachments that anchor the third eyelid gland in its normal position. When those tissues stretch or fail, the gland can prolapse outward. In many cats, the exact reason is not fully known, but breed tendency suggests that inherited anatomy may play a role.
Inflammation can make the gland look larger and more obvious once it has prolapsed. Rubbing, chronic irritation, and surface eye disease may also worsen swelling. In some cases, what looks like cherry eye turns out to be something else, such as everted third eyelid cartilage, conjunctival swelling, or a mass involving the third eyelid.
That distinction matters because treatment depends on the cause. A cat with a red lump in the corner of the eye needs an eye exam, not a guess. Your vet may recommend tear testing, stain testing, and pressure testing to make sure there is not a more serious eye problem happening at the same time.
How Is Cherry Eye Diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a careful eye exam. Your vet will look at the third eyelid, cornea, conjunctiva, and tear film to confirm that the tissue protruding is truly the third eyelid gland. Because cats can hide eye pain well, this exam is important even when the eye does not seem severely uncomfortable.
Common tests may include a fluorescein stain to check for a corneal ulcer, tonometry to measure eye pressure, and a Schirmer tear test or other tear assessment if dry eye is a concern. These tests help rule out glaucoma, ulcers, severe inflammation, and other conditions that can change treatment decisions.
In straightforward cases, advanced imaging is not usually needed. If the appearance is unusual, the prolapse keeps recurring, or your vet is concerned about a mass or structural abnormality, referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist may be the next step.
Treatment Options for Cherry Eye in Cats
Spectrum of Care means you have options. Here are treatment tiers at different price points.
Conservative
- Office exam and eye assessment
- Fluorescein stain and basic ophthalmic testing as needed
- Lubricating eye medication
- Short course of anti-inflammatory or antibiotic eye medication if your vet finds secondary irritation or conjunctivitis
- E-collar if rubbing is a problem
- Short-term monitoring while planning surgery or referral
Standard
- Pre-op exam and routine anesthesia planning
- General anesthesia
- Surgical gland replacement, commonly with a pocket-style technique
- Pain control and post-op eye medication
- E-collar
- Recheck visit in about 7-14 days
Advanced
- Veterinary ophthalmologist consultation
- Expanded tear testing and detailed ocular exam
- Specialist surgical repair for recurrent, atypical, or complex cases
- Management of concurrent corneal disease, dry eye, or third eyelid cartilage abnormalities
- Advanced anesthesia monitoring and additional follow-up visits
Cost estimates as of 2026-03. Actual costs vary by location, clinic, and individual case.
Questions to Ask Your Vet About Cherry Eye
Bring these questions to your vet appointment to get the most out of your visit.
- Do you think this is true cherry eye, or could it be another third eyelid problem? Several eye conditions can look similar, and the treatment plan changes if the diagnosis is different.
- What eye tests do you recommend today, such as stain testing, pressure testing, or tear testing? These tests help rule out ulcers, glaucoma, dry eye, and other problems that may need treatment right away.
- Is conservative care reasonable for my cat for a few days, or do you recommend surgery soon? This helps you understand whether medication is a short bridge or whether delay could affect the gland.
- Will the surgery preserve and reposition the gland rather than remove it? Keeping the gland is usually preferred because it contributes to normal tear production.
- What is your expected recurrence rate for this procedure in cats? Recurrence can happen, and it is helpful to know what to expect before surgery.
- What home care will my cat need after surgery, and for how long? Eye medications, an e-collar, and activity limits can affect recovery success.
- When would you recommend referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist? Referral may be helpful for recurrent cases, unusual anatomy, or if another eye disease is present.
Can Cherry Eye Be Prevented?
There is no reliable way to prevent cherry eye when the main issue is inherited or structural weakness in the tissues that hold the gland in place. Supplements, home remedies, and over-the-counter eye products do not prevent the gland from prolapsing.
What you can do is reduce secondary irritation. Keep your cat from rubbing the eye, avoid using human eye medications unless your vet specifically tells you to, and have new eye changes checked early. Prompt care may help limit inflammation and protect tear production while you and your vet decide on the best treatment option.
If your cat is a Persian, Burmese, or another flat-faced cat with ongoing eye issues, regular eye checks are worthwhile. These breeds can have more than one eyelid or surface-eye problem at the same time, so early evaluation matters.