Don’t Drop Your Eye-Health in Ramadan

Being a Muslim eye-care health professional myself, I can see (literally!) both sides of the story when it comes to fasting and the use of eye drops. Be rest assured there is no need to compromise on faith nor your eye-health during Ramadan!

Eye drops are essential to treat your glaucoma, and stopping them without consultation with your doctor can lead to unwanted eye pressure increase and further optic nerve damage, which cannot be reversed; and the impact of this on your vision can easily go unnoticed. It is vital to follow your normal eye-care routine as prescribed and Ramadan should cause no change in this regard.

Many Muslim Scholars and international Muslim Councils (e.g The Muslim Council of Britain) have reassured that continuing to use eye drops does not break the fast. You can continue to use eye drops before and after sunset in alignment with your fast; furthermore, closing your eye and pressing the inner corner for 2 minutes after instilling the drops allows them to be better absorbed and stops it going to your throat.

Instead of compromising your eye- health, use Ramadan to give it a boost of excellent nutrients! Avoiding fried foods, sweet baked goods and too much coffee and replacing it with green leafy vegetables, and lots of fruits can do the trick not just for your eyes but also your overall well being.