An ophthalmic composition comprising geranylgeranylacetone which (a) is a mixture of (5E,9E,13E)-geranylgeranylacetone and (5Z,9E,13E)-geranylgeranylacetone, the (5E,9E,13E)-geranylgeranylacetone content of the mixture being 80% by weight or more, (b) consists of (5E,9E,13E)-geranylgeranylacetone, or (c) consists of (5Z,9E,13E)-geranylgeranylacetone protects various types of retinal cells from degeneration, impairment or destruction, thereby remarkably promoting the survival. Consequently, the composition exhibits a remarkable effect of preventing, ameliorating or treating various retinal diseases. In addition, the composition hardly becomes white turbid during storage.