While many medications are available to reduce symptoms, many people prefer to include preventative measures. A new study from Japan, published in Scientific Reports, describes a large-scale survey of hay fever sufferers, comparing those who use eye washing as a preventative measure. The study reports that those using eyewash experience improved symptoms.

Eyewash is recommended, but does it work?

While eyewashes containing benzalkonium chloride as a preservative have been shown to exacerbate certain eye diseases, a preservative-free eyewash has a generally good safety profile and is endorsed by the Japanese Society of Ocular Allergology for reducing symptoms of allergic conjunctival diseases. However, robust research was lacking on the use of eyewash for hay fever.