A short guide to hay fever

Look after your eyes and reduce the impact of hay fever
Hay fever can cause considerable discomfort for your eyes. If you suffer from hay fever, your optometrist can advise on how to reduce your symptoms and make things a little more bearable during the spring and summer.

The most common group of eye drops used to help relieve the effects of hay fever are called ‘mast cell stabilisers’. These are very effective and safe for those with hay fever symptoms that affect the eyes. However, it can take five to 14 days of use before they are most effective, so it’s important to start using these drops before your allergy kicks in.

The pollen season includes three main phases. Knowing which pollen triggers your allergy can help you to take measures to reduce symptoms. You can then take drops ahead of the period.

Pollen type		Main release period	Peak
Tree	Hazel (Corylus)	January – mid April	mid February – mid March
	Yew (Taxus)	January – mid April	end February – end March
	Alder (Alnus)	January – April	mid February – beginning of April
	Elm (Ulmus)	February – April	March – beginning of April
	Willow (Salix)	February -beginning of May	beginning of March – mid April
	Poplar (Populus)	mid March – beginning of May	end March – beginning of April
	Birch (Betula)	March – mid June	end March – mid May
	Ash (Fraxinus)	March – end May	April – beginning of May
	Plane (Plantanus)	March – May	mid March – mid April
	Oak (Quercus)	end March – mid June	end April – beginning of June
	Pine (Pinus)	beginning of April – end July	beginning of May – end June
	Lime (Tilia)	June – beginning of August	mid June – mid July
Grass	Grass (Poaceae)	May – mid September	June – July
Weed	Dock (Rumex)	end May – beginning of August	end June – end July
	Mugwort (Artemisia)	end June – mid September	end July – mid August
	Nettle (Urtica)	May – end September	end June – beginning of August
	Oilseed rape (Brassica Napus)	end March – end July	beginning of May – June
	Plantain (Plantago)	April – August	June – mid July

Once you have identified the time period in which you need to take your drops, it’s important to remember:

• Use the drops correctly and follow the instructions that come with the drops.
• Ensure that you buy your drops from a reputable source, if you are buying your drops online make sure you recognise the retailer.
• If you are taking drops correctly and still having a problem, make an appointment with your optometrist.
• You should also review the pollen forecast daily as the dates outlined above can vary.
• Eye drops will specifically target the symptoms of hay fever associated with the eyes. Tablets and nasal sprays can be taken to alleviate other symptoms, such as sneezing or a runny nose.
• If you wear contact lenses make sure you tell your optometrist you get hay fever and ask them what you should do during hay fever season.