Fatwa ID: 03203

Answered by: Maulana Nabil Khan​

Question

Can one use Punctal plugs for dry eyes? Will ghusl or wudu be accepted if one uses this? An optometrist recommends this to a patient who has a lot of tears dripping out.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Punctal plugs are tiny, biocompatible devices that can be inserted into tear ducts to block drainage. This increases the eye's tear film and surface moisture to help relieve certain forms of dry eye. Also known as punctum plugs, lacrimal plugs or occluders, these devices often are no larger than a grain of rice.

If the Eye Doctor is consulted and deems it beneficial for a patient to implant punctual plugs in the eyelash to reduce excessive tearing that causes discomfort and irritation then there is no harm in applying such methods to clinical benefit one's general health life.

As for the ruling of Wudu, generally, this procedure will not affect the wudu in any way in terms of validity. According to the official Hanafi school of thought opinion, the skin of the eye-lids joining point and anything regarding the interior of the eye-lid is not included in the face during Wudu. The outside skin of the eye-lids, extending hair from the eye-lashes, and the exterior edges of the eye-lashes are the only parts included in wudu. For ease of comprehension, it is enough to focus on washing the area of the eye and around it when shutting without over concerning one’s self with having water reach the eyeballs or interior since this is unnecessary and may cause irritation.

In conclusion, there is no harm in the use of Punctal Plugs and the wudu of a person using such devices will not be obstructed and be deemed as valid.

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Maulana Nabil Khan

Check and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

REFERENCE:

وَإِيصَالُ الْمَاءِ إلَى دَاخِلِ الْعَيْنَيْنِ لَيْسَ بِوَاجِبٍ وَلَا سُنَّةٍ وَلَا يَتَكَلَّفُ فِي الْإِغْمَاضِ وَالْفَتْحُ حَتَّى يَصِلَ الْمَاءُ إلَى الْأَشْفَارِ وَجَوَانِبِ الْعَيْنَيْنِ. كَذَا فِي الظَّهِيرِيَّةِ.

وَعَنْ الْفَقِيهِ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ إبْرَاهِيمَ إنْ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ وَغَمَّضَ عَيْنَيْهِ تَغْمِيضًا شَدِيدًا لَا يَجُوزُ. كَذَا فِي الْمُحِيطِ.

وَيَجِبُ إيصَالُ الْمَاءِ إلَى الْمَآقِي. كَذَا فِي الْخُلَاصَةِ.

 (الفتاوى الهندية).