Abstract: An ocular drug delivery vehicle of an oil-in-water submicron emulsion comprising about 0.5 to 50% of a first component of an oil, about 0.1 to 10% of a second component of an emulsifier, about 0.05 to 5% of a non-ionic surfactant and an aqueous component, with the mean droplet size being in the submicron range, i.e., below about 0.5 .mu.m and preferably between about 0.1 and 0.3 .mu.m. Also, topical pharmaceutical compositions containing a drug such as an anti-glaucoma drug, beta adrenergic blocker or other autonomic system drug, a local anesthetic, a steroid, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, an antibiotic drug, an antifungal drug, an antiviral drug or combinations thereof and the vehicle described above. Methods of administering such vehicles or compositions to the eye of a patient while reducing irritation thereof and providing increased bioavailability of the drug.