Clinical evaluation of Morgan pocket technique for surgical correction of third eyelid (glandula nictitans) prolapse in dogs: 45 eyes

ABSTRACT Nictitans gland prolapse, or cherry eye disease, requires prompt treatment in dogs. Despite various surgical methods described for different breeds, consensus on the most effective technique is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the Morgan pocket technique for treating Nictitans gland prolapse in Turkish Shepherd and other dog breeds. The study analyzed 39 dogs (45 eyes) with the condition. Preoperative ophthalmic examinations, including ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, Schirmer tear test I, fluorescein staining, and ultrasonography, were conducted. All cases underwent surgical treatment using the Morgan pocket technique, and clinical results, recurrence, and complications were assessed. The Turkish Shepherd dog was the most common breed (27 eyes, 71.6%), followed by Rottweilers and Cane Corsos (7.7%). The success rate of the Morgan pocket technique was 97.44% overall and 96.29% in Turkish Shepherd dogs specifically. The most affected dogs were male (84.6%) and under two years old (71.8%). Postoperative recurrence occurred in only one Turkish Shepherd dog, with no technique-related complications observed. The study concluded that the Morgan pocket technique is advantageous due to its ease of application and high success rate, with high reliability indicated by the low recurrence rate and absence of complications.