The disclosure provides methods of preventing or treating ophthalmic diseases or conditions in a mammalian subject. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to subjects in need thereof. More specifically, the disclosure provides a composition for preventing, treating, or ameliorating the symptoms of diabetic macular edema in a mammalian subject in need thereof, comprising: a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide D-Arg- 26-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
