Ramadan is a special time
And it often brings gentle changes to our daily routines — including sleep patterns, meal times, and hydration.
While these shifts are completely normal, some people may notice temporary changes in eye comfort, particularly if they already manage an existing eye condition.
Fasting itself does not harm the eyes. However, adjustments to routine during the holy month can sometimes make dryness or tiredness feel more noticeable. With a little awareness and planning, you can comfortably look after your eyes throughout Ramadan.
Why Your Eyes Might Feel Different During Ramadan
During Ramadan, it is common to:
- Adjust sleep patterns due to suhoor, taraweeh prayers, or later evenings
- Go longer hours without drinking fluids during the day
- Spend more time indoors for prayer or gatherings
- Use screens more frequently in the evening
- Experience natural fatigue from changes in routine
These factors can sometimes lead to:
- Temporary dryness
- Mild irritation
- Increased eye strain or tiredness
For most people, these effects are short-term and settle once routines return to normal. If you already live with a condition such as dry eye, blepharitis, or glaucoma, you may simply notice symptoms a little more than usual during fasting hours — but this does not mean Ramadan is causing damage to your eyes.
Being mindful of hydration outside fasting hours, taking screen breaks, and following your prescribed treatment plan can help keep your eyes comfortable during the month.
Eye Drops and Ongoing Eye Conditions
Many eye conditions rely on regular eye drops to maintain comfort, protect vision, or prevent disease progression. One of the most common is glaucoma, where daily eye drops are essential to control eye pressure and reduce the risk of long-term sight loss.
Other conditions that may require continued use of eye drops during Ramadan include:
- Dry eye disease, including meibomian gland dysfunction
- Allergic eye conditions, such as seasonal or perennial allergic conjunctivitis
- Inflammatory eye conditions, where steroid or anti-inflammatory drops are prescribed
- Post-surgical care, where drops support healing and reduce infection risk
Interrupting prescribed eye drop treatment — even for a short period — can lead to worsening symptoms or compromise long-term eye health. If you have been advised to use eye drops regularly, it is important to continue unless your eye care professional advises otherwise.
Reassurance Around Eye Drops While Fasting
Eye drops act locally on the surface of the eye and are used for medical treatment, not nourishment. Many patients worry about the sensation of a drop draining into the throat or experiencing a slight taste, but this does not mean the drops are acting systemically or affecting the fast.
To minimise this sensation, gently closing the eye and applying light pressure to the inner corner for around 30 seconds after instilling drops can be helpful.
Practical Advice for Eye Comfort During Ramadan
To support eye health while fasting, consider the following:
- Stay well hydrated between iftar and suhoor
- Use eye drops as prescribed, even during fasting hours
- Limit screen time where possible, especially late at night
- Take regular visual breaks to reduce eye strain
- Ask about preservative-free drops if frequent use is needed
If you wear contact lenses and experience discomfort during fasting, switching to glasses temporarily or reviewing your lens type may improve comfort.
When to Seek Professional Advice
You should arrange an eye examination if you notice:
- Persistent discomfort or redness
- Changes in vision
- Increasing reliance on eye drops without relief
- Difficulty managing a long-term eye condition during Ramadan
Your optometrist can assess whether your treatment remains appropriate and provide tailored advice to support both your eye health and daily routine during fasting.
Supporting Eye Health During Ramadan
Looking after your eyes is an important part of overall wellbeing. With the right guidance and continued treatment, most people can manage their eye conditions safely and comfortably throughout Ramadan.
More information is available here from Moorfields Eye Hospital https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/for-patients/information-hub/using-eye-drops-during-ramadan
and here from the Muslim Council of Great Britain https://mcb.org.uk/resources/ramadan-health-guide-2026/
