A method of producing an aqueous ophthalmic composition includes wet grinding a mixture that includes a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, a cellulose derivative, and water, in which a 2%-by-mass aqueous solution of the cellulose derivative has a viscosity of 60 mPa·s or less at 20° C. An aqueous ophthalmic composition includes a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, a cellulose derivative, and water, in which an absorbance of the aqueous ophthalmic composition at a wavelength of 600 nm and an optical path length of 1 mm is 1.1 or less and a 2%-by-mass aqueous solution of the cellulose derivative has a viscosity of 60 mPa·s or less at 20° C.
