Diseased Bird: Sick Goldfinch?

Individual Goldfinch with feather tuft that persisted until I noticed him with what looked like an eye disease. large area around eye was devoid of feathers and looked crusty. Tuft was still there. Never saw this bird again. I assumed either eye disease or strange molting.

Photo taken on March 1, 2015. Eye problem observed on March 12; unable to get photo.