Undergoing vision correction procedures such as SMILE Pro or LASIK often raises many questions. This is especially true for Muslims who plan to undergo surgery during the month of Ramadan. One common concern is whether using eye drops after a SMILE Pro or LASIK procedure breaks the fast.

SMILE Pro and LASIK: A Brief Overview of the Procedures

SMILE Pro (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) and LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) are procedures designed to correct refractive errors. These include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Both procedures use laser technology to reshape the cornea so that light can focus more effectively on the retina.

After undergoing these procedures, patients are generally advised to use eye drops. The drops help support recovery, reduce the risk of infection, and maintain eye moisture.

Do Eye Drops Break the Fast?

In Islam, fasting is invalidated if something enters the body through an open passage such as the mouth, nose, or digestive tract. But what about eye drops?

According to many scholars and fatwas from Islamic institutions, the use of eye drops does not break the fast because:

1. It does not pass through food and drink passages: The eye is not a direct passage to the digestive system like the mouth or nose.
2. The amount is very small: Although it is possible that a small amount of the eye drop liquid might reach the throat through the tear ducts, the quantity is minimal and does not resemble eating or drinking.
3. Fatwa from Islamic institutions: The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) states that using eye drops does not break the fast, even if it feels bitter in the throat. This is because there is no direct passage from the eye to the throat; any liquid reaching the throat comes from the pores.

Conclusion

Based on various scholarly opinions and existing fatwas, using eye drops after SMILE Pro or LASIK does not break the fast because the eye is not a primary passage to the digestive system. With this understanding, you can maintain eye health while fasting peacefully.

If you have further questions regarding SMILE Pro or LASIK, feel free to consult with Mayapada Eye Centre for the best information and care for your eye health!

Source:

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Reviewed By : dr. Rahayu Widhyasti, Sp.M