Red/Watery Eye

Question
Hello.

I currently own 4 rats, one of my youngest around 6 months or so has been having some red discharge from her right eye. I know the red around the eyes and nose are quite common but this is just around one eye.

The eye itself looks to be rimmed in pink where her usual black fur is and is also watery. You can tell by the way it pools in the corner of her eye.

I first noticed her eye acting like this a couple of days ago (less then a week) I dismissed it at first but its hasnt gotten any better or worse.

She is the only rat out of all in the cage that is having this problem.

Is this normal and if not what can I do about it.
I would like to know the cause (maybe) and anything I can do at home that would help, before I take her to the vet because I would like to avoid the trip (to the vet) if at all possible.

Thank you for any answer you have and for reading my question.

Answer
It may be an abrasion or scratch to the eye; which is what I'm leaning toward, to be honest. An eye infection generally presents with an immediately swollen and crusted over eye, not just porph and a bit of redness in the eyelid. If she'll allow it, try cleaning the eye up with a bit of damp towel and see if you can see an injury above/below the eye at all or anything in her eye itself.

Give it a few more days to see if it'll clear - if its a cut or abrasion on or around the eye, it will begin to heal itself and she'll be right as rain in a few days. If it worsens, she begins to have green or yellow discharge from her eyes or begins to display any other symptoms (including the eye having a "popped out" look; you need to take her to the vet.

Good luck!