Hay fever

Hay fever is an allergic reaction in your body to pollen from grasses, trees or weeds. When your immune system recognises this pollen as harmful, it produces substances such as histamine, which cause inflammatory reactions. The symptoms are mainly felt in your nose, throat and eyes. Most people with hay fever experience symptoms in spring and summer, when plants and grasses are in bloom and releasing pollen. Some people react to tree pollen in early spring, others to grass pollen later in the season, and others still to weed pollen in late summer and autumn.

Eye complaints

Hay fever often causes eye symptoms, as pollen also comes into contact with the surface of the eye. Typical eye symptoms associated with hay fever include:

• Red, irritated eyes
• Itchy eyes and eyelids
• Watery eyes
• Puffy eyelids
• A burning or stinging sensation
• Light sensitivity

These symptoms are caused by inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane lining the inside of your eyelids and covering the white of the eye. This is known as allergic conjunctivitis.

Contact lenses and hay fever

If you wear contact lenses and suffer from hay fever, your lenses may feel uncomfortable. Pollen can settle on the lens surface and increase the irritation. Hay fever also often causes you to produce more tears with a different composition, which means lenses are less likely to stay in place or are more prone to drying out.

Contact lenses during the hay fever season

Many contact lens wearers find that their lenses are less comfortable during the pollen season. Pollen that lands on your lenses can stick to the lens material and make the irritation worse. Daily disposable lenses can be beneficial during this period, as you start each day with a clean lens and pollen cannot build up. Make sure you clean your lenses thoroughly in accordance with the instructions for your lens solution, and wash your hands before putting your lenses in or taking them out, so that you do not transfer pollen from your fingers to your eyes.

Eye drops for dry or irritated eyes

If you suffer from hay fever, moisturising eye drops can help to rinse pollen from the surface of your eyes and make them feel more comfortable. Choose drops that are suitable for use with contact lenses if you wish to keep your lenses in.

When to see an optician or ophthalmologist

If you suffer from red, itchy or watery eyes during the pollen season and are unsure whether it is hay fever, have it assessed by your optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist. They can determine whether it is an allergic reaction or has another cause, and refer you for further treatment if necessary.