title: The management of ocular allergy in community pharmacies in the United Kingdom.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ocular allergies frequently present in pharmacy practices. However, research into the actual management of ocular allergy in pharmacies is lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine and quantify history and symptom questioning of a patient with presumed allergic conjunctivitis and management strategies employed by pharmacy staff in the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mystery shopper technique was used to simulate an episode of allergic conjunctivitis in 100 community pharmacies across the UK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean number of questions asked by pharmacy staff to the patient was 3.5 ± 2.6, with a range of 0-10. The most common question was whether the patient had a history of allergies (45 %).Ninety-one percent advised on treatment, with the remaining 9 % directly referring to the patient's general practitioner (n = 4) or pharmacist(n = 4), but only two to their optometrist. The most common treatment suggested was sodium cromoglycate 2 % (50 %). However, many pharmacies advising treatment did not ask the patient's age (37 %), if they wore contact lenses (43 %), or gave dosage advice (43 %). Only 5 % of pharmacies advised follow up and 14 % suggested visiting a general practitioner and 1 % an optometrist if symptoms did not resolve with treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for improved ophthalmological training for pharmacy staff with respect to the management of allergic conjunctivitis.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Research Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
authors.forename: Paramdeep
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bilkhu
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wolffsohn
authors.forename: Deanna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Bhavik
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hirani
authors.forename: Shehzad A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Naroo
mesh_terms: D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000628:therapy*; D003376:Counseling / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D006113:United Kingdom