A water-based ophthalmic solution comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof at a concentration of 0.03-0.5% (w/v) and propylene glycol at a concentration of 0.1-1.0% (w/v), wherein benzalkonium chloride is contained at a concentration of 0.001-0.002% (w/v) as a sole preservative agent and an ionic tonicity agent is also contained at such a concentration that the osmotic pressure ratio of the ophthalmic solution becomes 0.9-1.1.