The influence of the different cherry eye surgical intervention on tear production in dogs

Abstract

A Schirmer's tear test (STT) is a procedure that is used to verify if the dog eyes are producing enough tears to keep the eyes healthy. The goal of this study was to estimate the influence of different techniques of cherry eye management on the tear production in dogs. Cherry eye was diagnosed unilaterally and bilaterally in 17 (62.96%) and 10 (37.04%) cases, respectively. The recorded cases were 19 (10 bilateral and 9 unilateral) in male (70.37%) and 8 (all were unilateral) in female (29.63%). Cherry eye affection mainly managed by surgical excision or pocket techniques. Schirmer's tear test was applied in both healthy and affected animals which were treated by both technique. The pocket technique preserved the morphology and integrity of the duct system of the nictitating gland and also resumes tear production. On the other hand, surgical excision of third eyelid gland eliminated about 40% of the tear production. Schirmer's tear test, Pocket technique, Excision of nictitating gland, Dogs