The invention relates to an aqueous ophthalmic solution comprising 0.00001 to about 10.0 percent by weight L-histidine, 0.0001 to 3.0 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide, and optionally 0.1 to 500 parts per million of a preservative that provides superior preservative efficacy especially as against fungal microbes. These solutions may be employed in various ways including cleaning contact lenses, rinsing lenses while in the eye, storing lenses and in delivering active pharmaceutical agents to the eye.