The present invention relates to ophthalmic compositions and methods for the treatment of dry eye and other inflammatory ocular conditions. In particular, the present invention relates to a composition comprising an esterified anti-inflammatory lipid mediator, which is an ester of an anti-inflammatory lipid mediator that is a reaction product of the anti-inflammatory lipid mediator and a polyol wherein the majority of the anti-inflammatory lipid mediator is present in an ester form. In this way, the compositions are substantially free of an acid form of the anti-inflammatory lipid mediators. Anti-inflammatory lipid mediators can be selected from the group consisting of polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., omega-three and omega-six fatty acids), resolvins or a metabolically stable analog, protectins or a metabolically stable analog, lipoxins or a metabolically stable analog, prostaglandins or a metabolically stable analog, retinoic acids, endocannabinoids, metabolites thereof, and mixtures thereof. This composition can be topically delivered to the ocular surface via a preparation, solution, gel, ointment, and/or strip and/or a contact lens.