I hate the eyes getting like that too. I look at it as a pet peve. No one would let their children run around with dirty eyes (drainage) and dirty finger nails etc.
I think they like to have it removed also. I know Angel will just set and let me comb it away after a bath or pick it off with my finger nail.
I wonder if natural tears would help at all. I have bought tear drops from the pet store but it has been awhile. I know the Dr. has told us to wipe drainage from the chidlrens eyes with warm water when he had
identified the drainage is from allergies.