thanks Helen, just what the vet said!
when i picked him up yesterday,VN told me to bathe it in salt water and to bring him back if his eye got gunky.
some confusion there apparently as the gunk is normal discharge due to the eye being too small and wont go away. the purpose of the bathing is not to clean really (like you would with an infection) but to remove the gunk (as build up would be uncomfortable) but mainly to moisten the exposed third eyelid so water (boiled and cooled) is much better. hes also got some drops to help moisten but i dont think he can stay on them long term. he has wriggled a little but not at all like before so i think it is now a helpful procedure for him. so glad i went back to ask
incidentally- human saline solutions are safe says vet but she said to be honest salt water is virtually identical, even the pH so they can be used but no real difference