Wraparound eyeglasses improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Background: Allergen avoidance is important for allergic rhinitis management. However, studies evaluating the efficiency of avoidance measures from pollens are lacking. We aimed to investigate the efficiency of wraparound eyeglasses in seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR).

Methods: Eligible patients with a diagnosis of SAR (n = 70) rated their symptom scores, filled the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), and were randomized either to receive wraparound eyeglasses in addition to medical treatment (group 1, n = 39) or medical treatment only (group 2, n = 31) throughout the 3 pollen seasons in the years 2011, 2012, and 2013. Patients rated their symptom scores and checked the need for use of rescue medications in their diaries over a period of 4 weeks. RQLQ was reapplied 1 week and 4 weeks after randomization.

Results: The median (interquartile range [IQR]) change from baseline over 4 weeks in the eye itching (-2.51 [-3.65 to -1.36] vs -0.88 [-1.95 to 0.43], p < 0.001), eye watering (-2.31 [-3.09 to -1.24] vs -1.60 [-2.59 to -0.21], p = 0.02), sneezing (-2.26 [-3.19 to -1.51] vs -1.68 [-2.27 to -0.56], p = 0.03), and rhinorrhea (-2.48 [-3.74 to -1.49] vs -1.59 [-2.88 to -0.87], p = 0.04) scores were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2. There were significantly higher improvements in ocular symptoms domain score (-1.75 [-3.12 to -1.00] vs -0.50 [-2.31 to -0.31], p = 0.002), nasal symptoms domain score (-2.25 [-4.06 to -1.50] vs -1.25 [-2.37 to -0.68], p = 0.004), and total RQLQ score (-1.98 [-2.67 to -0.88] vs -1.10 [-2.06 to -0.25], p = 0.02) and reduced need for rescue medication use in group 1 compared to group 2 at the end of 4 weeks.

Conclusion: Standard wraparound eyeglasses can provide a safe, convenient, and effective measure for protection from pollens in patients with SAR.