Dog Eye irritation

Question
My dog is a lab/terrier/collie mix. recently, in the past two days, he seems to come across an eye irritation, that hasn't stopped. his eye has gone from "keeping it closed" to opening it almost fullway, but not completely.  i think that he may have scratched it when he went into our rose bushes, but and not sure.  If it is a scratch, what can i do to help heal it, and if not what might this be.  The only other symptom other than keeping it closed, is a "runny" eye, and buildup that looks like "sleep dust" or "eye crusties." thank you for your time and patience in this matter.

Answer
Hi Nathan,
   You can get an Eye Irrigation solution, just plain ole eye irrigation solution. Plain saline.  Flush his eye out by squirting it in to his eye. Have a towel handy cause it might get alittle messy with the solution running down the face. You can also do warm compresses on his eye. This is taking a damp washcloth and wet it with warm water. Make sure the washcloth isn't too hot test it out on yourself first. You want it just warm. Now hold the washcloth to his eye for as long as he will let you. Do this several times a day let's say for the next 3 days. This will help with any swelling. Now if all this doesn't help his eye then I would recommend taking him into see a Vet. for a check up, he could have a scratch on is cornea and may need a medication to help heal the wound. Take care and good luck.