An ophthalmic irrigating solution in an amount sufficient to irrigate ocular tissues of a patient comprising: a) gamma-polyglutamic acid (gamma-PGA) and/or salt thereof in an amount effective to increase the viscosity of the solution; and b) an ophthalmically acceptable aqueous vehicle for the gamma-PGA and/or salt thereof for use in irrigating ocular tissues of a patient is disclosed. Also disclosed are an ophthalmic irrigating solution and a pharmaceutical kit for use in reducing stress-induced damage to ocular tissues of a patient during eye surgery.
