Effect of Veramyst and Olopatadine 0.2% Opthalmic Solution on Allergy Symptoms

People who have hayfever or allergic rhinitis often complain about eye symptoms associated with their nasal symptoms. How people with hayfever develop eye symptoms is not clear. The purpose of this study is to better understand the generation of eye symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis. We have previously shown that placing the substance that subjects are allergic to in their nose causes both nose and eye symptoms. This can be explain by a parasympathetic neurogenic reflex from the nose to the eye. Such a reflex would readily explain the tearing and watery eye symptoms, but does not explain the itch. In this study, we are going to address one possible explanation for the itch; does an axonal neurogenic reflex stimulate mast cells in the eye to release histamine, which then causes the itch? We will do this by placing an antihistamine drop in the eye and challenge the nose with allergen. We will also attempt to demonstrate that mast activation isn't effected by blocking the initiating of the reflex with a nasal steroid, as done in our previous study, and showing that the addition of an antihistamine does not add to the reduction of symptoms.