UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Laying in bed this morning, my eyes had that stinging feeling again. Then I heard on the radio that the pollen count is high! So the question is how do I manage to wear my lenses when my eyes are affected by the pollen? If I was back at work I should be on my way now but cant even think about putting my lenses in!
I had to sleep with the window open aswell because I also have sinusitis! Which wont have helped the hayfever! Cant win and want to go back to work!

Donna,

The way I cope with pollen and lens wear is viscous lubricating eye drops. Systane is the one that works for me. I use them before putting my lenses in and it is as if they put a coating over the corne and eye lids so any pollen getting into my eyes does not make it to the sensitive areas that react to pollen.

Most the time I only need the drops morning and night, but if really bad I just pop my lenses out, put the drops in and pop my lenses back in. Hassle to some, but well worth it to me if it means my lenses are comfortable.

Rinsing the eyes with cool saline helps too to clear the eyes out before putting lenses in.

Donna,

If it helps I've had a lot of problems recently with Hayfever (last year it really kicked up a gear) and also with sinus.

To the point where my top row of teeth really hurt - I went and saw a dentist who suggested lots of unnecessary work (I also grind my teeth in my sleep which makes the sensitive) and my GP who more or less said 'just get on with it' but put me on antibiotics and a nasal spray none the less.

One day I asked the pharmacist for advice, gave her my symptoms and told her I was already taking stuff for my hayfever. She recommended stronger hayfever tablets and a nasal spray. Both helped to cure my sinus and hayfever problems where antibiotics had done nothing.

For what its worth I am now on..

- Benadryl Allergy Relief (Acrivastine) tablets - they are in the blue and white packets (not the usual orange and white).
- Beconase Hayfever relief nasal spray (bluey white packet)

Strangely enough the nasal spray has exactly the same contents as the one I was given by my GP for the sinus probs.

The tablets dont last 24 hours like the standard type but I find they are a lot more effective and act quicker. If I start sneezing I immediately take one of these.

I've never suffered from streaming eyes as a lot of hayfever sufferers get but I hope this helps.

Ed

Thanks!
Eddie do you buy your nasal spray? Or is it form the GP?
I have got Loratadine tablets which are know as Clarytin I think. they do work but not as quick as I would like! I got my lenses in at 9.20 am.....I would normally start work at 8.30.
The nasal spray would prob be a good idea.

Hi Donna,

I bought my nasal spray but I guess if you pestered your GP he would provide it.

It smells of flowers, the last thing you'd expect a hayfever spray to smell of, but seems to work.

Ed

It smells of flowers? They teasing us or what lol
if it works I will get my gp to prescibe them.
I am putting my lenses back in shortly so I can drive to my friends after tea so will get one then.
Does it work straight away?

I am keeping my lens out until hay fever over. i haveing a bad time with it.

hayfever is bad where i live.

Its bad where I live aswell Elizabeth
Eddie you are a genius! My sinus problem is better and I can breath through my nose! That nasal spray is the cats pyjamas The best thing I have tried for ages xx
And thats only after 2 puffs I will be like a new woman tomorrow

1) Cool compresses
2) Alomide eye drops (on rx- ask the gp)
3) Lots of lubrication (systane or Theratears)

No lens wear??...only joking!

Hope that helps
David