Over the last 25 years, health-related quality of life has received increasing recognition, as it aids health practitioners in understanding the way a patient may be impacted by their health condition. Specifically, ocular allergy has been found to affect an individual emotionally, physically, socially, and economically. Hence, scientists have developed multiple questionnaires, based on the different etiologies of ocular allergy, to assess the quality of life of individuals affected by the condition. One highly regarded questionnaire is the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire and its variations, namely the Standardised Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, Nocturnal Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, Adolescent Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Paediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire. Other questionnaires include the Eye Allergy Patient Impact Questionnaire and the Quality of Life of Children with Allergic Keratoconjunctivitis questionnaire, among others that are suitable for different countries. The purpose of this commentary was to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each questionnaire by critically analyzing psychometric properties, identifying which ocular allergy domains are present, and evaluating additional features that are important to a questionnaire.

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) prevalence has increased in Australia. People with hay fever often experience many eye symptoms, especially itching. This study explores clinical correlations between tear IgE levels and ocular allergy signs in hay fever sufferers, focusing also on eyelid wiper friction damage from eye rubbing. In a cross-sectional study from November 2024 to January 2025, 16 individuals with self-reported hay fever and 17 healthy controls were recruited. Participants completed demographic and allergy-related questionnaires, including symptoms and quality of life assessments. Tear samples were analyzed for IgE and MMP-9 biomarkers. Ocular surface parameters-bulbar redness, palpebral roughness, and lid wiper epitheliopathy (LWE)-were graded. Corneal and conjunctival dendritic cells were also evaluated. Elevated tear IgE significantly correlated with self-reported hay fever, QUICK score, MiniRQLQ, eye rubbing frequency, and lower LWE grade. The hay fever group showed significantly higher LWE compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001), indicating frictional eyelid damage. ROC analysis of tear IgE yielded an AUC of 0.893 (cut-off 0.03 IU/mL; sensitivity 90%, specificity 85%). Tear IgE is a useful biomarker for ocular inflammation and may indicate friction-related eyelid damage in allergy sufferers. Incorporating LWE grading into clinical assessments of ocular allergy is recommended.

Survey studies have played a significant role in understanding the gaps in the knowledge and practices of health practitioners. However, there have been no such survey studies on Ocular Allergy (OA). Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a survey on OA to better understand the gaps in the diagnostic, treatment, and collaborative care approaches of health practitioners in OA. The survey is titled “Survey on Ocular Allergy for Health Practitioners (SOAHP)”. SOAHP was developed in a five-stage process. First, item extraction via the use of a literature review, second, face and content validity, third, a pilot study, fourth, test–retest reliability, and fifth, finalisation of the survey. 65 items under 6 domains were initially generated in the item extraction phase. Content validity was conducted on 15 experts in the field. This was conducted twice to reach consensus whereby items and domains were added, edited, kept, or removed, resulting in 50 items under 7 domains. The pilot study was conducted on 15 participants from the five relevant health practitioner fields (Allergists/Immunologists, General Practitioners (GPs), Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Pharmacists). This altered the survey further to 40 items under 7 domains. Test–retest reliability was conducted on 25 participants from the five health practitioner fields. Reliability was moderate to almost perfect for most (97%) investigated items. The finalised survey was 40 items under 7 domains. SOAHP is the first survey created to assess diagnostic, treatment and collaborative care approaches of Allergists/Immunologists, GPs, Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Pharmacists on OA. SOAHP will be a useful tool in clinical research on OA.

Background/Objectives: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent and chronic condition that is frequently underestimated in clinical practice, despite its substantial impact on quality of life (QoL). While epidemiological studies have quantified the prevalence, risk factors and symptom burden, limited research has explored the lived experiences of adults living with AR in Australia, and more specifically in Victoria. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of adults with AR in urban Victoria, Australia. Methods: A qualitative study utilising online semi-structured in-depth interviews was conducted with thirty-eight adults residing in Melbourne and Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke. Results: Of the 38 participants, 57.9% (n = 22) were self-diagnosed and 42.1% (n = 16) had received a professional diagnosis of AR. The following five themes were constructed: 1. AR is shaped by onset, family history and comorbidities; 2. Environmental exposures and seasonal changes strongly influence the experience of AR patients; 3. Coping with AR involves a mix of lifestyle adjustments, medication and personal adaptive strategies; 4. AR disrupts QoL through poor sleep, emotional strain, social limitations and reduced productivity; and 5. Limited awareness and barriers in healthcare access hinder effective management of AR. Conclusions: Participants described AR as extending beyond physical symptoms to emotional, social and economic impacts shaped by multiple factors. These complex lived experiences emphasise the need for more tailored management and improved clinical recognition of the psychosocial burden of AR.