Eye Infection and Cyst

Question
Hi
I have a 2 year old female guinea pig named Mo. She has had an eye infection before that has cleared up with the help of keeping it clear and a lil water.
Recently though she got on in just her left eye. I have been keeping it clean and its been getting better but still hasn't disappeared. I was examining it today and the eye is clear. Above the eye where the i guess eye brows are it is swollen and seems to appear the thick hairs have the infection. Im wondering if maybe it is like an ingrown hair causing her eye to appear as if it is infected. It is just a clear liquid that sometimes turns a white crystal.
I also realized she has a ball like cyst on her left side just infront of her knee. It hasn't grown any bigger in the past few days and it isn't attacked to anything nor does it hurt her.

I'm wondering if they are connected and if there is a possible way to treat the eye infection without seeing a vet. I would rather her not be on antibiotics.

Thanks for your time sorry the question is so long
Jessy

Answer
Hi Jessica.  Water that has been boiled and cooled can be good for clearing eyes but with persistent eye problems i would suggest eye drops for human eyes would be more beneficial to apply.  This cleansing can help flush the eye of toxins and foreign bodies, and can soothe sore and inflamed areas.
If this does not clear it up then i would hate to say you would need a prescription only eye medication from your vet.  This may be a cream to apply to the eye to directly fight infection.
If there is a problem with an ingrowing eyelash it may require a little minor surgery on your vet's part to remove the particular hair.
With regards to the cyst you have found on your guinea pig, this will be unrelated to the eye problem.  Small lumps and cysts are very common on guinea pigs which are just fatty sebaceous nodules.  If they do not grow in size and are not attached, just loose and free to hold in the skin, they are completely harmless with no need to remove.  I would recommend to leave it be, but keep checking on it just in case for any developments.

I hope this helps!