# Can You Have Cataract Surgery in Summer?

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/blog/eye-diseases/can-you-have-cataract-surgery-in-summer

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-16

> **Summary:** Cataract surgery can be done at any time of year: having it in summer causes no health problem as long as the doctor's advice is followed, especially staying out of swimming pools and the sea for about 20 days. There is no recommended season; once falling vision affects daily life, treatment should not be put off.

## Quick Facts
- **Season:** no particular season recommended; summer is fine
- **Pool and sea:** avoid for about 20 days
- **Shower:** allowed, but keep water and soap out of the eye for the first days
- **Standard technique:** phacoemulsification

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## What Is Cataract?
The clear natural lens behind the pupil, which refracts light, becomes cloudy as protein builds up, so less light passes and vision gradually falls. Untreated it grows steadily more opaque and can lead to permanent sight loss and blindness over time. Cataract is not seasonal; it can appear at any time of year, mostly with age, and usually advances slowly over the years.

## Causes and Risk Factors
- Ageing, genetics, environmental factors
- Heavy sunlight exposure and looking at the sun without protection
- Diabetes and high blood pressure
- Heavy drinking and smoking
- Previous eye operations, eye injuries
- Long, uncontrolled steroid use, including steroids and drops for uveitis
- Radiation used in cancer treatment

## Symptoms
More common after the age of 55-60, but can occur at a young age:
- Blurred, misty or faded vision; a curtain or smoke over the eyes
- High sensitivity to light; lines or haloes around lights; trouble with oncoming lights at night
- Pale colours
- Difficulty seeing at night and while driving
- Seeing better at near without reading glasses; frequent prescription changes
- Reduced depth perception
- Needing more light to read
- Headache and tired eyes

## Types
- **Congenital cataract:** from birth, on one or both sides; linked to the mother's conditions, infections and medication in pregnancy, sometimes with no apparent cause.
- **Age-related cataract:** more common after 55-60, vision falls gradually. Risk is widespread in high blood pressure and diabetes; in diabetes, eye nerve damage and glaucoma are also frequent.

## Treatment
- Surgery is the only treatment. The standard technique is phacoemulsification: the clouded lens is broken up with ultrasound and removed through a small incision. Intracapsular and extracapsular extraction are now mainly of historical interest.
- Options for distance, near and middle-distance vision are offered; the surgical plan is based on the patient's general health.
- Left too late, a white cataract can be seen around the pupil.

### After Surgery
- Attend check-ups; use drops or medication exactly as directed.
- Shower allowed, but no water or soap in the eye for the first days.
- No swimming pools or sea for about 20 days: pools can hold germs and chlorine can cause problems.
- Protect the eye from blows, foreign matter and chemicals.

## References
- Cataracts, NEI
- Cataract surgery, NHS