Yes, it sure is an expense but, I have to say, I have a wonderful vet. She is very thorough and caring and is very reluctant to push any type of medication or invasive procedure until she has examined all other options or unless she feels it is really necessary. She explains everything and makes sure I understand her thought processes and she really cares for her patients. This vet is in a practice exclusively for cats and so I know she knows her stuff.
As for the runny eyes, one of my late cats had runny eyes all her life and I had a small tube of cream which, after gently wiping away any discharge and crust from the eye area, I would apply carefully (the vet showed me how). Jessie never had any infection but once in awhile, her eye would just tear for a few days. The cream always seemed to help and it lasted me a long long time.
Welcome to our board, Moustache! Hope you stick around