A packaging system for the storage of an ophthalmic device is disclosed. The packaging system includes a sealed container containing one or more unused ophthalmic devices immersed in an aqueous packaging solution that includes ectoine or an ophthalmologically acceptable ectoine derivative. The aqueous packaging solution has an osmolality of at least about 150 mOsm/kg, a pH of about 6 to about 9 and is sterilized.