Hay fever

What are the symptoms of hayfever?

• Itchy, watery or red eyes

• Sneezing

• Blocked or runny nose

• Itchiness in the back of the throat, nose and ears

For some people, the protein found in pollen can cause their eyes to become irritated and inflamed, as well as the nose, throat and sinuses. This can become quite uncomfortable and even debilitating – preventing you from enjoying warm, sunny days when the pollen count is at its highest.

Some signs and symptoms of hay fever can be problematic for contact lens wearers. If your eyes become itchy, red and watery, your vision through the contact lenses can appear ‘smeary’ and less sharp – not to mention uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. 

Some hayfever symptoms can be confused with symptoms of COVID‑19. To ensure you know the difference, read our guide to hay fever and coronavirus symptoms here.

Eye drops and wipes for hay fever

Hay fever can cause huge discomfort to your eyes. If it’s not treated properly, many people will regularly experience itchy or dry eyes, especially during the summer months. Ask your optometrist whether they can recommend drops specifically designed to reduce your allergic reaction, there are several types of eye drops:

Eye drops for dry eyes can provide some relief by flushing pollen from the surface of the eyes. Specsavers’ range of eye drops for dry eyes are preservative‑free, relieving eye irritation and avoiding any disruption to the tear film. Our 10ml bottles of intensive eye drops are great for frequent or single‑use.

Mast cell stabilisers are anti‑allergy eye drops designed to prevent the inflammation caused by hay fever. These drops need to be taken throughout the hay fever season but not all of these drops can be used with contact lenses, remember to check first.

Antihistamine eye drops do the same job as anti‑histamine tablets do for hay fever; they don’t prevent an allergic reaction but do ease the symptoms of one. You can get these types of eye drops over the counter, but if you need drops that combine anti‑allergy and antihistamine properties, you will need a prescription.

Steroid eye drops are only used in severe cases because they need monitoring closely, as such, they are available only on prescription.

We also recommend eyelid wipes to prevent and alleviate symptoms of hay fever, and to remove pollen. Explore all of our products to help keep your eyes healthy.

Do glasses help with hay fever?

While it isn’t a cure for hay fever, wearing wraparound glasses or sunglasses while you’re out and about can help keep pollen out of your eyes and in turn reduce some of your symptoms. You also might consider switching from contact lenses to glasses during peak hay fever months if your eyes are feeling particularly sore or irritated. 

Be allergy aware

Because it’s so common around the summertime, it’s easy to assume your symptoms may be related to hay fever. However, many people don’t realise that symptoms typically associated with allergies could also indicate other potentially serious eye conditions.

So if your symptoms worsen, or don’t go away with the help of antihistamines, it’s a good idea to come and see us.

• Uncomfortable and sore eyes can be a sign of an eye infection, or conjunctivitis

• Achy and red eyes can be a sign of iritis, which in some cases if left untreated can lead to serious complications including cataracts and glaucoma