A Lanarkshire optician is urging Muslims who have glaucoma to continue using their eye drops during Ramadan to avoid putting their eye health at risk.
The holy month of Ramadan, which started yesterday, sees Muslims fast between dawn and sunset.
However, Specsavers say those who have glaucoma – an estimated 50,000 in the UK – may be putting their sight in jeopardy if they are inclined to stop using their eyedrops during this period.
Research has shown that almost half (45.5 per cent) worry that using eye drops would nullify their fast, as excess liquid can drain through the tear ducts to the back of the throat.
That is why Specsavers, together with Glaucoma UK and the Muslim Council of Britain, is warning of the danger that stopping eye drops poses, including vision loss.
Specsavers optometrist, and store director, Laura Mullett, said: "If glaucoma is left untreated or unmanaged it can cause irreversible vision loss.
"However, if it is picked up early and treated it can be successfully managed, minimising sight loss.
"It is also more important now than ever to ensure correct hygiene measures are taken when touching your face, which includes thoroughly washing your hands in line with government guidelines before putting in your drops.
"If you have any concerns make sure you book an appointment to see your optometrist."
Joanna Bradley, head of support services at Glaucoma UK, added: ‘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.
"For additional reassurance, there are a few things that people can do to minimise this risk, including a technique called punctal occlusion, which involves closing the tear duct immediately after putting in drops, by putting finger pressure at the corner of the eye next to the nose.
"This reduces the risk of the drops reaching the back of the throat, and also keeps the eye drop in the eye where it needs to be.
"Alternatively, use drops before dawn or after sunset, outside of fasting hours."
For more information, visit www.specsavers.co.uk, call the Glaucoma UK helpline on 01233 64 81 70 or visit www.glaucoma.uk
