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Compliance levels of glaucoma treatments may be affected by religious beliefs researchers have claimed after a new UK study revealed that some patients stop using eye drops during religious fasting periods such as Ramadan.

A team led by Dr Nishant Kumar of University Hospital, Liverpool studied patient compliance in relation to fasting by analysing 350 surveys completed by members of the world's seven major faiths: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism, Bahai and Buddhism. This is believed to be the first study of its kind.

In the survey, the majority of patients who classed themselves as Hindus, Muslims and Jains stated that the use of eye drops during their fasting hours would break their fast and, therefore, they would not use their drops during this period.

The majority of Christian, Buddhist and Bahi survey respondents said that they did not believe using eye drops would break their fasts.

'A broad awareness among ophthalmologists regarding the religious beliefs of patient groups they treat will allow them to formulate management plans in keeping with these beliefs without compromising care,' concluded Dr Kumar.

The findings were presented at a meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the European Society of Ophthalmology.

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