Eye Drops
For a lot of people, the eyes are the worst of it. Itching, redness and constant watering are difficult to ignore and difficult to disguise,
and they are often the symptom that treatments taken for the nose leave untouched.
There is a wide range of eye preparations sold for hay fever, and they do different jobs.
The Main Types Of Eye Drops
Lubricating Drops
Artificial tears, which soothe and help wash pollen out of the eye. They contain no active drug and can be used as often as needed.
Antihistamine & Mast Cell Stabiliser Drops
These act on the allergic reaction within the eye itself. Antihistamine drops work quickly, while mast cell stabilisers such as sodium cromoglicate need to be used consistently over several days before the full benefit is felt, so they suit people who start ahead of their season.
Steroid Drops
Reserved for severe cases and prescribed by a doctor, usually with monitoring, as steroid use in the eye is not something to undertake without supervision.
What To Know Before Using Them
Drops treat the eyes and nothing else. If your symptoms extend beyond the eyes, they will usually need to be combined with something else.
If you wear contact lenses, check with your pharmacist which drops are suitable, as some cannot be used with lenses in. Preservatives in some products can also irritate the eyes with prolonged use, and preservative-free versions are available.
See your GP if your eyes are painful rather than itchy, if your vision is affected, or if symptoms do not settle with over-the-counter drops.
How The Hay-Band Compares
The Hay-Band is worn on the arm and contains no drugs, so there is nothing to apply to the eye and nothing that could irritate it. It can be worn alongside any eye drops you already use, including prescribed ones.