Smokey the Younger had a scratch that turned into a really stubborn eye infection. First she was on cipro (waste of money), then chloramphenicol (didn't work), finally a penicillin derivative with a steroid.

When using ointment, my vet recommended and I followed the following practice:

1. First clean the eye with warm water.
2. Put in the meds, not letting the tube tip touch. If you can get the meds on the inside if the loose upper eyelid, blinking will distribute it.
3. Clean the tip of the tube with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

Good luck! Eye infections are the pits (along with URI, UTI, and anything else that requires dosing a cat!!)