Ophthalmic irrigating solutions are disclosed. The ophthalmic irrigating solution comprises: a) γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) and/or salt thereof in an amount effective to increase the viscosity of the irrigating solution; and b) an ophthalmically acceptable aqueous vehicle for the γ-PGA and/or salt thereof. Also disclosed is a method of irrigating ocular tissues of a patient, in which the method comprises introducing to the ocular tissues of the patient an ophthalmic irrigating solution comprising γ-PGA) and/or salt thereof in an amount sufficient to irrigate the ocular tissues of the patient.