Self-assembling peptides or self-assembling peptidomimetics ("SAP") can treat or alleviate disease, disorder, injury or one or more symptoms of diseases or disorders of the eye, including ocular inflammation, dry eye, corneal erosion, retinal detachment, and other problems where the barrier formed by the SAP provides protection and aids healing. SAP topical or injectable compositions of SAP for local administration to the eye include SAP in an amount and concentration effective to provide an SAP structure on or within the eye or a compartment or structure thereof. The SAP can be assembled prior to or after the composition is administration. SAP can also be used as coatings for contact lens, intraocular lens, and wound healing devices, to enhance healing and decrease inflammation.