Ramadan eye drop warning

Specsavers and the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) have warned that Muslims living with glaucoma should continue using eye drops during Ramadan as the holy month starts (April 23).

The companies highlighted that 45.5% of Muslims worry that using eye drops would nullify their fast as excess liquid can drain through the tear ducts to the back of the throat.

Joanna Bradley, head of support services at the IGA, said: ‘It is vital that Muslims keep using their eye drops to treat their glaucoma during Ramadan as stopping, even for a short period, could cause irreversible damage to their sight.

‘It is also important to highlight that eye drops are not considered food or drink in almost all Islamic schools of thought, therefore, even if drops do reach the back of the throat, the fast is not affected.’