sodium cromoglicate eye drops

[bocboc8]

My dd has been suffering from hayfever so needs to be on sodium cromoglicate eye drops regularly. Since this year's hayfever season has started early, she'll be using this eye drop for more than 12 weeks. Is it safe to use it for so many months? Anyone on these eye drops regularly throughout the hayfever season? Thanks for your help.

[bumpybecky]

I've used them for 20+ years, normally for more than 12 weeks a year. I've never had any problems and my eyes are checked fairly regularly as I'm very short sighted and have eye tests every 2 years. When you say she's used them for 12 weeks though, you don't mean the same bottle do you? you're supposed to throw them after 28 days (I think they don't have any preservatives so can start growing things in them!)

Hope she's feeling less itchy soon :)

[Butterbur]

DS2 was referred to an ophthalmologist a couple of years ago, beacuse of an ulcer on his eye, caused by hayfever. The consultant said he must use the sodium chromoglycate drops as often as he needed to prevent recurrence, throughout the hayfever season (which sadly is from March to August). He emphasized that there was no limit to the frequency and length of use.

[bocboc8]

Thanks ladies, for your replies. No, I only use the bottle for 28 days than throw it away and start a new bottle.

[DBennett]

Mast cell stabilisers, like sodium cromoglicate are the safest anti-allergy drops to use for long periods of time.
The down side is that they take a little while to kick in, some 4-6 weeks so it is generally best to start taking them before the onset of symptoms.