For some, summertime is that breath of fresh air and sunshine they've been hankering for, full of outdoorsy fun, but for others, it's all about getting a supply of the best hay fever eye drops before they start itching (pun intended) to get outside. Is being invited to sit down in lush grass next to a huge spread of the best picnic food filling you with dread? Not for much longer. Despite there being no cure, luckily for us, it can be managed either through eye drops or hay fever tablets. So, if you’re feeling itchy, it’s worth reading further.
One in five people suffers from hay fever. It’s extremely common. If you’ve got the sniffles or itchy eyes this summer, it’s important to find the right treatment.
Best hay fever eye drops at a glance:
• Best hay fever eye drops for fast relief: Boots Hayfever Relief 2 per cent w/v Eye Drops - 10ml - Buy now on Boots
• Best hay fever eye drops for natural ingredients: Optrex Soothing Eye Drops for Itchy Eyes 10ml - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best hay fever eye drops for adults and children: OPTASE Allergy Eye Drops 20 x 0.5ml - Buy now on Amazon UK
There are several basic treatment types available over the counter. Those are tablets, nasal sprays, and eye drops. We've covered the differences between these at the end of the article, but what makes the best hay fever eye drops work so well for many? Well, unsurprisingly, they can more effectively target eye discomfort if that's your main complaint. After all, the medicine is designed to tackle exactly those symptoms as opposed to a more general-purpose antihistamine. Relief could be just a couple of drops away.
We'd much rather turn all of those unpleasant symptoms off, leaving you with better issues to solve - such as which portable air conditioner to buy or what ice cream to choose. So, What’s The Best has compiled a list of the best hay fever eye drops on the market to tackle that discomfort. It’s time for all of us to get outside and have some fun.
The best hay fever eye drops:
All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
Best hay fever eye drops for fast relief
www.boots.com
Boots' own-brand eye drops are for the relief of eye symptoms of hay fever only, such as itching, redness, soreness and watering. The primary active ingredient is Sodium Cromoglicate 2 per cent which will work to give fast relief, but keep in mind you cannot use these whilst wearing contact lenses.
Pros
- Quick relief from symptoms
- Very cost-effective
- Can be stored at room temperature
Cons
- Must be discarded 28 days after opening
- Cannot be used with soft contact lenses
| Ingredients: | Sodium Cromoglicate 2 per cent, Benzalkonium chloride, Disodium edetate, Water for injections |
| Suitable for: | Adults and children over 6 years. Do not use if sensitive to any of the ingredients and whilst wearing soft contact lenses. |
| Quantity: | 10ml |
- Customer review: "Always my go-to eye drops for tree pollen Hayfever eye reactions. It gives instant relief during tree pollen season which is the worst time of year for me."
Best hay fever eye drops for natural ingredients
Pollen, pet hair and dust can leave your eyes feeling irritated, uncomfortable and itchy. So, these eyedrops from Optrex relieve irritation caused by pollen, pet hair and dust mites. With this product, the eye's surface is gently cleansed of particles that can cause allergy and hay fever. Specifically designed to help relieve discomfort, these drops contain natural plant extracts.
Pros
- Tackles a wide range of symptoms
- The main ingredients are natural plant extracts
- Also tackles other symptoms such as dust mites and pet hair allergies
Cons
- Must be discarded 28 days after opening
- Lenses must be removed for use and not put back in for 15 minutes afterwards
| Ingredients: | Aqua, Hamamelis Virgina (Witch Hazel), Alcohol, Boric Acid, Glycerine, Sodium Borate, Benzalkonium Chloride. |
| Suitable for: | Adults and children. Remove contact lenses before use. Safe for everyday use. |
| Quantity: | 10ml |
- Customer review: "I love this product! I kept on getting styes, and couldn't understand why, then I recently found out I'm allergic to dust, after using this product a couple of times a day, it stops the irritation I get in my eyes, and cleans the eyes out!! Since I've stated using this, I haven't had another flare-up since.."
Best hay fever eye drops for adults and children
OPTASE Allergy Eye Drops have a unique formulation for the treatment and prevention of the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis can be one of the worst ways to experience allergy symptoms, so thankfully these are quick and easy to take with you thanks to the individual measured dose packaging.
Pros
- Easy to take with you thanks to single-dose units
- Suitable for everyone
- Fine for contact lenses
- Preservative free
Cons
- Individual doses are packaged in single-use plastic vials
| Ingredients: | Ectoin 2%, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Sodium Chloride, Water, and Citrate Buffer |
| Suitable for: | Adults and children (of all ages) |
| Quantity: | 20 x 0.5ml |
- Customer review: "I have terrible allergies, and always have ‘allergy eye’ — those red lines beneath the eye. I’ve tried lots of drops — they either irritate me or don’t work. These work astonishingly well. They not only soothe but have cleared up those red lines so that I don’t have to cover them with makeup. They will be a permanent help to me."
Best hay fever eye drops for easy application
Optrex's Actimist Double Action Spray soothes itchy eyes and stabilises the natural lipid layer of your eye's tear film in no time. It's easy to use by spraying onto closed eyelids. That means this product is ideal for people who don’t like to apply eye drops or dislike touching their eyes, such as children (over 2) or the elderly.
Pros
- Very easy to apply
- Suitable for children over 2 years old
- Fast and long-lasting relief
- Suitable for contact lenses
- Keeps for up to 6 months
Cons
- Despite being easier than applying drops, a few report difficulty aiming the spray
| Ingredients: | 1ml contains 10mg Soy Lecithin, 8mg Sodium Chloride, 8mg Ethanol, 5mg Phenoxyethanol, 0.25mg Vitamin A Palmitate, 0.02mg Vitamin E, Purified Water. |
| Suitable for: | Adults and children (2+ years) |
| Quantity: | 10ml |
- Customer review: "This spray is amazing- I am on my third bottle. An absolute lifesaver that has helped me so many times with itchy eyes from hayfever, dry eyes on long flights, tired eyes on long drives and even dry/tired eyes from looking at computer screens all day."
"It’s so easy to use, not uncomfortable at all to spray on closed eyes. It dries very quickly and there is no greasy residue left (which I experienced with another brand) so you don’t feel like you’ve put anything on your eyes after a minute- except that your eyes feel much better! You can use it repeatedly if needed."
Best hay fever eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis relief
Fusion Allergy Eye Drops is an isotonic solution and can be used to alleviate and treat symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. It helps treat itchy, red, or watery eyes. The active ingredient, Ectoin, is a natural molecule with anti-inflammatory properties. It forms a barrier to protect against airborne allergens like pollen or dust.
Pros
- Can be used multiple times per hour
- Comes in convenient, measured single-dose units
- Contact lens comptible
- Suitable during pregnancy
- Preservative free
Cons
- Adult use only
- The measured dose applicator can be tricky to use
| Ingredients: | Ectoin, Sodium Chloride, Water, and Citrate Buffer |
| Suitable for: | Adults |
| Quantity: | 15 x 0.5ml doses |
- Customer review: "Just perfect. Natural perfection! No stinging. And works so well to keep my eyes from itching and burning. No more dry eye. No more chemicals."
Best hay fever eye drops for contact lens wearers
Preservative-free, these Double Action eye drops from Optrex are designed to lubricate your eyes for long-lasting relief and comfort. They will help restore your eyes and prevent further itching. The double-action is both soothing and lubricating, with the added bonus that you can double up on the double-action by taking these alongside an antihistamine.
Pros
- Suitable for everyday use
- Suitable for contact lenses
- Preservative and phosphate-free
- Can be used alongside antihistamine tablets
Cons
- Must be discarded 3 months after opening
- Adult use only
| Ingredients: | Sorbitol, Sodium hydroxide, Carbomer, Sodium chloride, WFI. |
| Suitable for: | Adults |
| Quantity: | 10ml |
- Customer review: "I have terrible allergies, and always have ‘allergy eye’ — those red lines beneath the eye. I’ve tried lots of drops — they either irritate me or don’t work. These work astonishingly well. They not only soothe but have cleared up those red lines so that I don’t have to cover them with makeup. They will be a permanent help to me."
Best hay fever eye drops: Frequently asked questions
What is hay fever?
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and/or throat. Pollen is a fine powder from plants.
Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.
What are my treatment options?
Tablets - Antihistamine tablets are the first-line treatment for hay fever and can be acquired over the counter and should be taken daily. The most common ingredients used in tablets are cetirizine, loratadine and chlorphenamine.
According to GPs, they take around four to five days to work properly; but for this to happen, they need to be taken daily. So, taking one when your symptoms crop up isn’t as effective.
Nasal sprays – On the other hand, steroid nasal sprays are also popular. These work most effectively when taken every day. GPs advise starting a few weeks prior to the pollen.
Eye drops – If sprays aren’t your thing, and your eyes are itchy, drops may increase the effect of the tablets. They typically contain an ingredient named sodium cromoglicate and can relieve your eyes from soreness and itchiness.
Why do some people get hay fever – and others don’t?
Tolerance to pollen varies from season to season, person to person. We don’t know why some people produce antibodies against pollen and others don’t, but it is now more common to produce them than not. Scientists are speculating that it’s down to environmental changes.
Can I use hay fever eye drops as well as a tablet?
Yes, you can take an antihistamine tablet and use eye drops at the same time. But, read the information leaflet first, or check with your pharmacist if you're unsure.
Can I use hay fever eye drops with contact lenses?
That depends on the active ingredient. Always check the label or information leaflet if you're unsure. However, we've included some drops that are suitable for use with contact lenses.
Are there any natural remedies for hay fever?
Seasonal allergies are also thought to be relieved by certain herbal teas. If you prefer something less medicinal, why not try some of these soothing teas:
Also, eat locally-made honey. This is thought to lessen the effects of hay fever.