Opatanol Eye Drops: Using Olopatadine for Allergic Conjunctivitis

Opatanol eye drops (olopatadine 1mg/ml) are a prescription-only antihistamine eye treatment for allergic conjunctivitis — the red, itchy, watery eyes that many hay fever sufferers experience during pollen season. As one of the most effective targeted treatments for hay fever eye symptoms, Opatanol works directly in the eye to block the histamine response responsible for inflammation, providing meaningful relief from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis caused by pollen and other allergens.

Understanding Allergic Conjunctivitis

The conjunctiva is the thin, transparent tissue that lines the inside of your eyelids and covers the white part of your eye. When allergens — particularly pollen during hay fever season — come into contact with the eye, they trigger an immune response in the conjunctiva. Mast cells in the conjunctiva release histamine, which causes vasodilation and inflammation, producing the familiar symptoms:

• Intense itching of the eyes
• Redness and injection of the whites of the eyes
• Watering or discharge from the eyes
• Swelling of the conjunctiva (chemosis)
• A gritty or burning sensation in the eyes

This condition affects the majority of hay fever sufferers. For a broader overview of all hay fever treatments, see our guide to hay fever: is treatment needed?

Types of Conjunctivitis: Why Diagnosis Matters

How Opatanol Works: Olopatadine Antihistamine Action

Olopatadine — the active ingredient in Opatanol — is a selective H1 histamine receptor antagonist. It works directly in the eye by:

• Blocking H1 histamine receptors in the conjunctiva, preventing histamine from producing the inflammatory response
• Stabilising mast cells — reducing the release of additional inflammatory mediators beyond histamine
• Providing dual antihistamine and mast cell-stabilising action for comprehensive allergic eye symptom control

Opatanol has been licensed for medical use in Europe since 2002 and has an established evidence base. Clinical studies lasting up to 14 weeks demonstrated that Opatanol significantly reduced itching and redness in allergic conjunctivitis, showing efficacy comparable to cromolyn sodium and levocabastine.

How to Use Opatanol Eye Drops Correctly

Opatanol can be used safely for up to 4 months as required during the allergic season. Always follow your prescriber’s instructions on duration.

Opatanol and Contact Lenses

Opatanol contains benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. This substance can cause discolouration of soft contact lenses (both soft and RGP lenses). Always remove contact lenses before applying Opatanol and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them. If you develop conjunctivitis and wear contact lenses, stop wearing your lenses until symptoms resolve — continuing to wear lenses can lead to secondary infections that require more intensive treatment.

Getting Opatanol from Access Doctor

Access Doctor provides Opatanol eye drops as part of our comprehensive hay fever treatment range. Complete a short online consultation, reviewed by our GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers, and your prescription is dispensed and dispatched the same day — arriving the next working day in discreet packaging.

For complete hay fever management including nasal symptoms, you may also wish to consider Avamys nasal spray alongside Opatanol for both nasal and eye symptom control.