Does the application of eye drops invalidate the fast?
The question, as received
I put eye drops in my eyes and I forgot I was fasting. I felt the taste of the eye drops in my mouth and throat. Is my fast broken?
The answer
The application of eye drops in one’s eyes does not invalidate the fast, even if the taste of the eye drops can be felt in the mouth and throat.[1] A substance with a discernable body must enter a valid entry point to potentially break the fast. The eye is not a valid entry point.[2]
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Faraz Adam
References
1وَلَوْ أَقْطَرَ شيئا من الدَّوَاءِ في عَيْنِهِ لَا يُفْطِرُ صَوْمَهُ عِنْدَنَا وَإِنْ وَجَدَ طَعْمَهُ في حَلْقِهِ (الفتاوى الهندية ج 1 ص 203 الرشيدية)
2وَلِأَن الْعين لَا منفذ بهَا إِلَى الْجوف وَمَا يجد فِي حلقه فَذَلِك أَثَره لَا عينه (تحفة الفقهاء ج 1 ص 366 دار الكتب العلمية)
Based on the Hanafi school and on the question as it was asked. Another mufti may reach a different conclusion. Read the disclaimer.