Allergic conjunctivitis
For general guidance on administration of drugs to the eye and control of microbial contamination of eye drops, please see the ‘General information on eye drops’ section.
Apply 4 times daily.
Prescribing Notes:
- Sodium cromoglicate is a mast cell stabiliser. It takes a few weeks to have an effect. It has a prophylactic action and must be used regularly even when symptoms improve.
- Sodium cromoglicate drops can be bought over-the-counter.
History Notes
15/06/2022
East Region Formulary content agreed.
Apply twice daily for maximum 4 months.
Prescribing Notes:
- Occasionally, some patients may be treated for longer than 4 months with olopatadine under ophthalmic guidance.
History Notes
15/06/2022
East Region Formulary content agreed.
Apply 4 times daily
Prescribing Notes:
- Sodium cromoglicate is used to treat allergic conjunctivitis. It has a prophylactic action and must be used regularly even when symptoms improve.
- Sodium cromoglicate drops can be bought over-the-counter.
History Notes
29/07/2020
Content migrated from LJF website.
Child 3 – 17 years; apply twice daily for a maximum of 4 months.
Prescribing Notes:
- Olopatadine eye drops may be prescribed to treat ocular signs and symptoms of seasonal conjunctivitis.
History Notes
16/12/2020
Updated to reflect formulary amendments before launch of new website.
29/07/2020
Content migrated from LJF website.
Prophylaxis of allergic conjunctivitis.
Dose according to age and product licence.
Treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Supplied under PGD for hay fever.
Dose, age, indication and duration according to pharmacy first PGD
Prescribing Notes:
- Sodium cromoglicate is used to treat allergic conjunctivitis. It has a prophylactic action and must be used regularly even when symptoms improve. Patients should be advised that it may take several days to be effective and that instant relief should not be expected.
- Otrivine-Antistin eye drops may be used to treat acute allergic conjunctivitis as a short-term measure. Long-term use should be avoided because of rebound hyperaemia. These should only be purchased by the patient, as they are unavailable via Pharmacy First.
- Particular care should be taken with patients who wear contact lenses to ensure the product given is suitable.
- Olopatadine eye drops are supplied under the Pharmacy First Patient Group Directions for treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (Hay fever).
Examples of Counselling Points
Once opened the eye drops should be discarded after 28 days.
History Notes
28/09/2023
Updated pathway and prescribing notes in line with latest Pharmacy First list.
11/11/2021
Pathway renamed from 'Inflammation of the eye' to 'Allergic eye conditions' and moved from the 'Inflammatory eye conditions' page to 'Allergic conjunctivitis'.
27/10/2020
Content migrated from ‘East Region Formulary: Pharmacy First - supporting minor ailments’ document.