MUSLIMS with glaucoma should continue using their eye drops during Ramadan or risk putting their sight in jeopardy.

That was the message this week after research showed almost half of people feared that using eye drops could nullify their fast, as excess liquid can drain through the tear ducts to the back of the throat.

Specsavers has joined with Glaucoma UK and the Muslim Council of Britain to highlight the danger of stopping using drops.

Joanna Bradley, for Glaucoma UK, 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.”

Raj Gill, ophthalmic director at Specsavers in Keighley, said: “If glaucoma is left untreated or unmanaged it can cause irreversible vision 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 before putting in your drops.”

For more details, visit specsavers.co.uk or glaucoma.uk.