we went back to the vet today for a re-check. He has been wearing the e-collar and he has been really great with letting me put the drops in. Vet said it is looking a lot better: we were using two types of drops-Ofloxacin an antibiotic and Atropine a pain/itch reliever. Now, vet said to stop with those two and prescribed us a new antibiotic called Tobramycin. Phew-what an ordeal. So now I just have to use one type of drops 3x a day. He still needs to wear the e-collar for 2-3 more days-ugh-he looks so pitiful but I know it is for his own good.
thanks for all of the advice and kind words! we needed it