If your dog or cat is suffering from cherry eye, it’s essential that you schedule him or her veterinary exam. Although average animal hospitals offer nictitans gland repositioning for cherry eye, it will be more beneficial to your pet to schedule an appointment with a veterinary ophthalmology specialist. Our veterinary ophthalmologist has the training and experience needed to provide your pet quality nictitans gland repositioning at Animal Eye Clinic of Pensacola.
What You Should Know About Cherry Eye and Nictitans Gland Reposition
“Cherry eye” is essentially a common term for the condition that involves prolapse of the third eyelid gland. There is a third eyelid located inside the lower eyelid in many mammals, including dogs and cats. This third eyelid is referred to as the nictitating membrane. This third eyelid is home to a special gland that produces a lot of the eye’s protective tear film. If this gland pops out or prolapses, the condition is called cherry eye.
When an animal is suffering from cherry eye, you will see a swollen red mass on his or her lower eyelid, close to the muzzle or nose. In some cases, the mass will be small and only appear periodically, but it can also be massive and cover a large portion of the dog’s cornea in some cases. This condition occurs when the gland of the third eyelid prolapses because the attachment to the lower inner rim of the eye is somewhat weak. Certain breeds are more prone to this condition, likely because the fibrous attachment between the gland and the lower inner rim of the eye is not very strong.
Nictitans gland reposition is the generally recommended treatment for cherry eye. Essentially, this is a surgical replacement of the third eyelid gland. In order to minimize permanent damage, the condition must be treated as soon as possible. The third eyelid gland is responsible for up to half of the watery portion of the tear film, and your pet will be much more susceptible to developing dry eyes without adequate tear production. Dry eyes can significantly impair your pet’s vision without proper treatment.
Contact Our Pet Eye Doctors to Treat Your Animal’s Cherry Eye in Fort Walton Beach or Pensacola
If you have a dog or cat who needs nictitans gland repositioning due to a case of cherry eye, contact our veterinary ophthalmology specialists for proper care. Our team at Animal Eye Clinic of Pensacola is committed to providing pets the eye care they need for optimal eye and vision care. If your animal needs eye treatment, we will be able to answer any questions you might have and schedule an exam for your help. Call us today to learn more about the various services we offer to pets at our Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola locations.