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How much does cherry eye surgery for dogs cost?
Cherry eye — the prolapsed tear gland of the third eyelid — is usually corrected by tucking the gland back into place. MetLife Pet Insurance publishes an average cost of $388–$970 for the surgery, while Spot Pet Insurance publishes a wider $300–$2,500 range. MetLife also prints what its own policyholders actually paid on three claims — $625, $1,100 and $1,300 — which shows where inside those ranges real bills land.
| Cherry eye surgery by source | Published figure |
|---|---|
| MetLife Pet Insurance — average cost | $388–$970 |
| Spot Pet Insurance — published range | $300–$2,500 |
| MetLife claim example — pit bull terrier, Illinois | $625 |
| MetLife claim example — Cane Corso, Florida | $1,100 |
| MetLife claim example — puppy, California | $1,300 |
What drives the price
Spot lists the drivers: severity and complexity of the case, the breed (some breeds are more prone to complications and recurrence), the size of the dog (larger eyes take longer and use more anesthesia), location, and whether one eye or both are done at once. MetLife’s estimate components are the pre-op and post-op appointments, examinations and diagnostics such as blood tests, anesthesia, and prescription medications — ask whether a quote bundles all of them. Cherry eye is one of several eye operations; compare the cataract surgery guide and the eye removal (enucleation) guide.
The surgical goal is normally to reposition the gland, not remove it, because the gland produces a large share of the eye’s tears — whether a given eye should be repositioned, and with which technique, is a veterinary decision. This page prices the surgery; it does not recommend a technique.
Cataract surgery is the expensive end of eye care — see its published per-eye ranges.
Read the cataract surgery cost guideSources: MetLife Pet Insurance — How Much Does Cherry Eye Surgery Cost for Dogs? (2026) · Spot Pet Insurance — Cherry Eye Surgery Costs in Pets. Researched October 2026 — prices change; confirm with your clinic.