The use of anti-inflammatory agents is important in the treatment of destructive corneal disease. The basic principles of the action of corticosteroids and prostaglandin inhibitors, and the application of these agents to various experimental and clinical situations, are presented. The corticosteroids are the most effective of all the anti-inflammatory agents but have many unfortunate side-effects. The prostaglandin inhibitors and other agents have fewer side-effects, but are less effective.