Prolapse of the third eyelid (nictitating membrane) gland is common in dogs. The condition occurs because of laxity of the connective tissue anchoring the gland to the third eyelid and is thought to be a juvenile, probably hereditary defect.
Recommended treatment options include anchoring the gland to the periorbital tissues, creating a pocket for the gland in the mucosa of the third eyelid, or using an imbrication technique. Morgan’s pocket technique, in which parallel conjunctival incisions are created dorsal and ventral to the prolapsed gland and sutured together to make a pocket for the gland, is the most commonly used technique.