Cherry eye in cats is a prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid, appearing as a pink-to-red bulge at the inner corner of the eye. It's far less common in cats than dogs, and Burmese, Persian, and other brachycephalic breeds are overrepresented. Surgery to tack the gland back into place is the standard of care — removal causes lifelong dry eye and should be avoided.
Last reviewed: May 2026
What's Actually Bulging
Cats have a third eyelid (nictitating membrane) at the inner corner of each eye. At its base sits the gland of the third eyelid, which produces about 30 percent of the tear film. Normally the gland is anchored to the underlying tissue. In cherry eye, the anchor fails and the gland pops up over the edge of the third eyelid, appearing as a pink, oval, fleshy mass at the inner corner of the eye. Owners often describe it as a "growth" or "cyst."
In dogs, the underlying problem is usually a weak connective tissue attachment. In cats the picture is more complicated — cherry eye is rare enough that other causes must be ruled out, including third eyelid masses (lymphoma, adenocarcinoma) and chronic inflammation from feline herpesvirus or chlamydophila.
Which Cats Are at Risk
Cherry eye is uncommon in cats overall but is reported more in Burmese, Persians, exotic shorthairs, and other brachycephalic breeds. It can be unilateral (one eye) or bilateral. Age of onset is typically under 2 years for the primary developmental form. When it appears in an adult cat with no prior history, the workup needs to rule out infection, inflammation, or a mass — that's not classic cherry eye.
How Vets Distinguish Cherry Eye From Other Problems
Diagnosis starts with a complete ophthalmic exam. The vet evaluates the third eyelid mass for color, size, mobility, and whether it can be gently reduced back behind the eyelid. A fluorescein stain checks for corneal ulcers, which often develop because the prolapsed gland rubs the cornea. A Schirmer tear test measures tear production. PCR or conjunctival swabs may be sent for feline herpesvirus and chlamydophila in adult-onset or atypical cases.
If the mass doesn't look like classic cherry eye — if it's irregular, ulcerated, very firm, or in a senior cat — biopsy and histopathology are warranted before surgery to rule out neoplasia. Senior cats also benefit from baseline bloodwork following the AAFP-AAHA Feline Life Stage Guidelines, 2021 before anesthesia.
Why Removing the Gland Is the Wrong Choice
Historically, cherry eye glands were simply amputated — and the consequence was a lifetime of dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS) because 30 to 50 percent of tear production was gone. KCS in cats causes chronic painful corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, and progressive corneal scarring that can lead to blindness. Management requires lifelong twice-daily cyclosporine drops plus tear-replacement gels.
Modern standard of care is replacement, not removal. The Morgan pocket technique creates a pocket in the conjunctiva, tucks the gland into the pocket, and sutures it closed. The orbital rim anchoring technique sutures the gland base to the periosteum. Both restore gland function and have success rates of 85 to 95 percent in the few published feline series. Recurrence is uncommon when done well by an experienced ophthalmologist.
Recovery and Postoperative Care
Recovery is 10 to 14 days. The cat wears an Elizabethan collar or recovery suit, gets topical antibiotic ophthalmic drops 3 to 4 times daily, and oral analgesics for the first 3 to 5 days following the AAHA Pain Management Guidelines, 2022. Tear production is monitored at recheck — most cats have normal or slightly reduced tear film long-term. A small percentage develop transient mild KCS that requires temporary cyclosporine.
Cost in the US typically runs $800 to $1,500 for the surgery itself, $200 to $500 for pre-surgical workup, and $100 to $300 for recheck and meds. Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists charge more but have the highest success rates.
Should You Just Wait and See?
No. The longer the gland sits prolapsed, the more chronic inflammation develops, the dryer it gets, and the more it irritates the cornea. Corneal ulceration, secondary infection, and permanent scarring follow. Surgery within 2 to 6 weeks of onset gives the best functional outcome.
When to See a Vet
A new pink mass at the inner corner of the eye in any cat warrants a same-week exam. Same-day if accompanied by pain, squinting, or discharge.
Call your vet today if:
- New pink fleshy mass at the inner corner of either eye
- Squinting or holding one eye partly closed
- Increased clear or mucoid discharge from one eye
- Rubbing or pawing at the face
- Pre-diagnosed cherry eye that re-prolapsed after surgery
Go to the ER immediately if:
- Severe eye pain with vocalizing
- Cloudy cornea or visible whitish ulcer
- Sudden vision loss or bumping into objects
- Bleeding from the eye
- Eye that looks markedly larger or proptosed
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does cat cherry eye surgery cost?
Surgery typically runs $800 to $1,500 with a general practice vet. Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists charge $1,500 to $3,000, including pre-op exam and follow-up. Pre-surgical bloodwork adds $150 to $300. Recheck visits and topical medications add another $100 to $300. Recovery is straightforward in most cases.
Will cherry eye fix itself?
Rarely. Some very mild prolapses spontaneously reduce in the first 24 to 48 hours, but most stay prolapsed and progressively worse. Each day the gland sits prolapsed it dries out, gets more inflamed, and develops more secondary corneal irritation. Surgical replacement within 2 to 6 weeks of onset gives the best functional outcome.
Why shouldn't the gland just be removed?
The gland of the third eyelid produces 30 to 50 percent of the tear film. Removing it causes lifelong dry eye (KCS), which leads to painful chronic corneal ulcers, infection, and progressive corneal scarring. Modern surgery replaces and tacks the gland to preserve tear production. Removal is now reserved only for malignant tumors of the gland.
Can cherry eye come back after surgery?
Yes, in roughly 5 to 15 percent of cases depending on the technique used and the surgeon's experience. Recurrence usually happens within the first 4 to 8 weeks. If it recurs, a second surgery using an alternate technique typically succeeds. Bilateral cases have a higher recurrence rate than unilateral.
Still Not Sure if Your Cat Needs a Vet?
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