Hay fever is the term used when a person has an allergic reaction to pollen. It is one of the most common allergic conditions. The most common symptoms of hay fever are itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, runny or blocked nose and difficulty in breathing.

As spring arrives and the hay fever season kicks in, the College of Optometrists has developed an easy-to-use infographic to help sufferers identify when they are most at risk of developing symptoms of hay fever and take appropriate medication to minimise their allergy.

The infographic shows the peak season for each of three pollen types in a calendar. We are urging those with hay fever to identify which pollen triggers their hay fever and then consult the infographic to predict the timeframe in which they are likely to be most sensitive. Doing so will enable them to take the most appropriate medication at an earlier stage. An optometrist can advise on the best medications to alleviate the most common effects of hay fever associated with the eyes.

 

Hay fever can often affect the eyes, causing them to be very red, itchy and swollen. People who suffer from hay fever may have an allergy to tree pollen, grass pollen or weed pollen. While trying to avoid pollen as much as possible will help lessen the symptoms, sufferers can also visit their optometrist to get medicated eye drops to help alleviate the itching and swelling.

Often people don