I have a year-round allergy to dust and other small particles, which is exacerbated in the summer by hayfever. I can generally keep things under control with a daily histamine tablet but when the pollen count is high, as has recently been the case, my eyes do tend to get quite itchy, sore and weepy. I know I shouldn't rub them but they do itch a lot and although I try to sit on my hands to prevent me from rubbing them I usually cave in. Although the rubbing helps initially it does leave my eyes sorer than before! It was for this reason I headed to the medicine aisle at my local supermarket to see if I could find some eye drops to help. Whilst browsing I spotted Optrex allergy eye drops which claims to soothe and prevent itchy, allergy eyes. It sounded ideal, though at £6 the price did make me think twice. However Optrex is a brand that I have been using for a number of years and I have always found their products to be of a high quality so I decided to give it a go.

The eye drops come in a light blue and navy box with a picture of a bright yellow sunflower on the front. The enclosed leaflet gives more information about the product. The drops are for treating itchy, watery or allergy eyes caused by hayfever, house mites and pet hair. When these allergens come into contact with sensitive eyes it causes them to release a number of chemicals in the covering of the eye, causing them to become watery and itchy. The active ingredient is 2% sodium cromoglicate, which has anti-inflammatory properties and soothes and relieves without causing drowsiness. This, for me is important, as I want to be able to continue normally with my daily activities.

Before using this product it is important to be sure that the symptoms are caused by an allergy and not something else. You should therefore be diagnosed as having an allergy by a doctor or pharmacist before using these drops. I have had allergies from a very young age, which have been diagnosed, so I could confidently use this product.

Inside the main box is a small bottle containing 10ml of drops. The recommended dose is 1 to 2 drops in each eye 4 times daily. The leaflet states that 10ml is equivalent to around 250 drops, which a quick calculation tells me should last around 31 days. The leaflet states that the drops should be used within 28 days so we get a little extra but sometimes I find that the drop misses my eye and rolls down my face so a few extra drops are useful! A quick word of warning though - if you wear soft contact lenses the drops must not be used whilst they are in.

Before using I wash my hands and pull down my lower eyelid gently. With the other hand I place 2 drops into one eye, close it and blink a few times to allow the liquid to cover my eye. I repeat the process with the second eye. As the drops go in they feel quite cool but as my eyes are irritated they also sting quite a bit. This only lasts for a few seconds before my eyes start to feel a lot calmer and the itchiness starts to subside. Within a few minutes my eyes feel much less irritated. My eyes felt refreshed and the associated redness has also subsided. With repeated use I have found that my eyes are now a lot less itchy and watery. Also the drops don't sting as much when going in which I put down to the drops doing their job. It is recommended that the product is not used continuously for more than 3 months without seeing a doctor.

Overall then I am quite impressed with these drops. They have certainly brought great relief to my eyes. I still think they are a little on the pricey side, for which I have knocked off a star, but as they do a good job I would still buy them again.