Improved saline solutions useful in treating contact lenses are described. Unlike prior saline solutions used for similar purposes, the present solutions do not contain conventional antimicrobial agents which are potentially toxic to ocular tissues. Rather, the solutions contain a combinaison of a borate-polyol complex, one or more anionic or nonionic surfactants, and a low molecular weight amino acid (e.g., glycine). It has been found that this combination effectively preserves the saline solutions from antimicrobial contamination, is relatively nontoxic to ocular tissues, and is compatible with oxidizing agents used in certain contact lens disinfecting systems. The combination also facilitates the cleaning of contact lenses.