title: Prevalence and impact of ocular allergy in the population attending UK optometric practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of ocular allergy in patients attending optometric practices in the UK West Midlands and the impact this has on patients' daily lives.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients attending 9 optometric practices in the West Midlands, UK, were surveyed about the occurrence of ocular allergy, the severity of the symptoms and their treatment. Patients self-reporting ocular allergy were invited to complete a more detailed questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1904 consecutive patients assessed (mean age 47.7±23.2 years, 55% female), 13% reported an allergy, 8% an ocular allergy, rated as at least mild in 85% of cases. Medication was used by 77% of patients reporting ocular symptomology. Patients with ocular allergy (n=126) completed the detailed questionnaire. Seasonal symptoms occurred for 3.4±1.9 months of the year with a peak in June to July. The most common 'hayfever' type symptoms were itchy eyes and a runny nose, and ocular symptoms were itchiness and a desire to rub the eyes. Most had gained medication over the counter (73%) with advice from GPs (53%), pharmacists (41%) or a friend or relative (18%). Only 11% consulted an optometrist. Medication was mainly in the form of antihistamine tablets (71%), eye drops (40%) and nasal spray (40%). Those interested in a specialist ocular allergy service (83%) were willing to pay £15.50 on average.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ocular allergy is relatively common, but treatment is often self-managed, does not appear to totally overcome the discomfort and rarely involves a detailed eye examination.
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences, Ophthalmic Research Group, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK. j.s.w.wolffsohn@aston.ac.uk
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wolffsohn
authors.forename: Shehzad A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Naroo
authors.forename: Navneet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Emberlin
mesh_terms: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009907:Optometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs