The invention provides methods and compositions for treatment of age-related macular degeneration, which comprises causing T cells that produce IL-4 to accumulate in the eye by administration of an agent such as Copolymer-1, IL-4, cells activated with IL-4, IL-13 or up to 20 ng/ml IFN-g, or a pathogenic self-antigen associated with a T-cell-mediated specific autoimmune disease of the eye or a peptide derived therefrom, and any combination of such agents.