The management of ocular allergy in community pharmacies in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Background Ocular allergies frequently present in pharmacy practices. However, research into the actual management of ocular allergy in pharmacies is lacking. Objective To determine and quantify history and symptom questioning of a patient with presumed allergic conjunctivitis and management strategies employed by pharmacy staff in the UK. Method A mystery shopper technique was used to simulate an episode of allergic conjunctivitis in 100 community pharmacies across the UK. Results The mean number of questions asked by pharmacy staff to the patient was 3.5 ± 2.6, with a range of 0-10. The most common question was whether the patient had a history of allergies (45 %).Ninety-one percent advised on treatment, with the remaining 9 % directly referring to the patient's general practitioner (n = 4) or pharmacist(n = 4), but only two to their optometrist. The most common treatment suggested was sodium cromoglycate 2 % (50 %). However, many pharmacies advising treatment did not ask the patient's age (37 %), if they wore contact lenses (43 %), or gave dosage advice (43 %). Only 5 % of pharmacies advised follow up and 14 % suggested visiting a general practitioner and 1 % an optometrist if symptoms did not resolve with treatment. Conclusion There is a need for improved ophthalmological training for pharmacy staff with respect to the management of allergic conjunctivitis. © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2012.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-012-9742-z
Divisions: College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Optometry > Optometry
College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Optometry > Optometry & Vision Science Research Group (OVSRG)
College of Health & Life Sciences
College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Optometry > Vision, Hearing and Language
Additional Information: The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11096-012-9742-z
Uncontrolled Keywords: allergic conjunctivitis,community pharmacy,counselling,mystery shopper,ocular allergy,United Kingdom,Pharmacy,Toxicology,Pharmacology,Pharmaceutical Science,Pharmacology (medical)
Publication ISSN: 2210-7711
Last Modified: 22 Mar 2024 08:10
Date Deposited: 11 Jun 2013 14:27
Full Text Link: http://link.spr ... 1096-012-9742-z
Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2013-04
Published Online Date: 2013-01-01
Authors: Bilkhu, Paramdeep (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-3640-7681)
Wolffsohn, James S. (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-4673-8927)
Taylor, Deanna
Gibson, Emma
Hirani, Bhavik
Naroo, Shehzad A (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-6373-7187)

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