Only 1% of the UK population uses opticians for hay fever services, according to research.
The survey was conducted by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and also found that just under a quarter (24%) of people would go to GPs, walk-in centres or A&E instead of opticians for hay fever treatment.
ABDO has called for greater awareness of the hay fever services available at opticians in order to help reduce the strain on the NHS.
Clive Marchant, president of ABDO, said: ‘Your optician should be your first port of call if you have an itchy, red or irritated eye. They are the specialists in eye problems and with Minor Eye Condition schemes springing up across the UK more and more people can access care on the NHS for this and other eye problems too.’