Muslims with glaucoma advised to keep eye drops in their Ramadan routine

In partnership with the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) and the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), Glaucoma UK has launched its annual information campaign, urging Muslims living with glaucoma to make eye drops a part of their routine throughout Ramadan.

This year, Ramadan is expected to run from 28 February to 30 March. During this sacred month, Muslims observe a religious practice that entails fasting from dawn until sunset. The fast is traditionally broken after the evening prayer and sunset, often celebrated with gatherings of family and friends.

The campaign highlights the importance of continuing glaucoma eye drops during Ramadan, as stopping the eye drops even for a short period of time can lead to irreversible sight loss. According to most Islamic scholars, using eye drops does not break the fast.

One practical tip for ensuring that eye drop medication stays in your eye without reaching your throat, is to practice punctal occlusion. This involves putting finger pressure at the corner of the eye, next to the nose, immediately after instilling drops and holding this for up to two minutes. This is generally good practice for anyone with glaucoma, as it helps the eye drop stay in the eye where it can do its job and protect your vision.

Joanne Creighton, Chief Executive of Glaucoma UK, says: “The annual Ramadan campaign encourages Muslims living with glaucoma to continue using their eye drops throughout the fasting month. Glaucoma UK is dedicated to supporting Muslim patients to take part in the holy month of Ramadan without putting their sight at risk. It’s crucial to maintain treatment, as even a temporary break can cause permanent sight loss. If anyone has questions or need support, please reach out to our helpline, and we will do our best to help. Additionally, our website has a dedicated page for the campaign, offering more information and tips on how to look after your eye health during Ramadan.”

For anyone who is worried about using their eye drops during fasting hours, the campaign advises using them between Iftar (the meal to break the fast) and Suhoor (the pre-dawn meal).

A representative of the Muslim Council of Britain, said, “Ramadan is a sacred time of spiritual reflection for Muslim communities across the UK, and protecting your health is a vital part of its observance. We are proud to be an annual partner of this campaign with Glaucoma UK and British Islamic Medical Association to ensure that Muslims living with glaucoma have the correct guidance to continue their eye treatment while fasting.”

Dr Sahira Dar, President of the British Islamic Medical Association, said, “Ramadan is such a special time for Muslims, and we look forward to coming together with our families and our community to break our fast together, pray and reflect. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Glaucoma UK to encourage good eye health during Ramadan so that those that suffer from glaucoma can make informed choices and look after their eyesight.”

To help raise awareness of this campaign, Glaucoma UK urges organisations to request Ramadan campaign materials for sharing on their digital platforms or for printing and displaying in community centres. The charity also invites the public to start conversations with friends and family who are taking part in Ramadan and share Glaucoma UK’s resources if they have any concerns about using eye drops during the fasting month.