eye problem with kitty

Hi All...
I need some advice. I have been watching a kitten that belongs to a friend of mine. I'm not sure how old she is but she is litter box trained and eats regular cat food. She is small though. She is very cute and extremely loving. My friend got the kitten a couple of weeks ago from some kids who were giving kittens away in front of the grocery store and little Sunnie was the last one. The problem is she seems to have something wrong with her left eye. It is seeping and she cannot seem to open it completely like the other one. I cannot see anything in the eye or any damage to it. My friend keeps saying that the eye is getting better and there is no problem. However I examined the kitten when she brought her home and between then and now the eye is not better. She does not display any other symptions, no caughing, no sneezing, no runny nose. She seems to have lots of energy and runs and plays. She eats and drinks well and does not have a problem using the cat box. But the eye worries me. Unfortunatley I do not have the money to take her to the vet. Is there anything I could try that might help the eye while my friend is gone? I'm afraid that she put her vacation ahead of the kitten. I think I'm going to try to talk her into giving me the kitten when she gets back. But in the meantime I would like to help Sunnie if possible. She is such a little love and has a wonderful personality. Thank you and blessed be.
Deecat
Mom to Jessie, Nikkie, Luckie & Lady

Conjunctavitis is part of upper respitory infections in cats. They may not show any signs, but none the less, it's an infection. If the discharge is yellow or green, the kitten needs antibiotics to get rid of it. If you have other cats in the house that come into contact with the kitten, they are at risk as well. If the eye is left untreated, it can become so bad it damages the eye beyond repair. FOr now, the best you can do is keep it clean and open. Washing it with a warm damp washcloth should do the trick.

Sandie,
Thank you. The discharge has no color or odor. Should I boil some water, cool and then use it because there is chlorine in our water and I don't think I want it in her eye?
Deecat
Mom to Jessie, Nikkie, Luckie & Lady

It sounds like a good idea to boil some water to use. It would be the same as using bottled water or artificial tears from the store. If it's clear, then just keep it free from crust until it clears up.