A stable ophthalmic pharmaceutical composition for relief, treatment, control, alleviation, or prevention of a pathological ocular condition of the eye comprises: (a) a first polymer, a viscosity of which changes with a change in a concentration of an electrolyte, such as a salt, when added to said first polymer; (b) a second polymer that is different from the first polymer and can modify the viscosity of the first polymer; and (c) an oil. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises a non-ionic surfactant. The composition can form a stable oil-in-water emulsion on storage, but separate into an oil phase and a water phase when applied in the eye. The emulsion can comprises an ophthalmic active pharmaceutical ingredient dissolved in the oil or water phase. The emulsion can provide enhanced stability to said active pharmaceutical ingredient.