AIM:To observe the influences of different incision methods——manual small-incision cataract surgery(manual SICS)and phacoemulsification on corneal sensation and tear secretion.·METHODS:This was a prospective randomized study involved 60 cases with age-related cataract(ARC)undergoing manual SICS or phacoemulsification.Corneal sensitivity was assessed preoperatively and at postoperative day 1,week 1,month 1,3 using the HANDAYA(Japan) esthesiometer at five locations:centrally,superiorly,inferiorly,nasally and temporally(all sensitivity data were transformed in nylon thread lengths).Schirmer test results were evaluated preoperatively and at postoperative day 1,week 1,month 1 and 3 with Schirmer test trips(Tianjin Jinming).·RESULTS:The corneal sensation reduced greatly at 1 day postoperatively in both groups.In the group undergoing manual SICS,corneal sensitivity decreased obviously at the temporal and central site,reduced by 26%,24% respectively,and 19%,14%,14% on the superior,nasal,inferior site. At 3 month postoperatively,corneal sensitivity recoverd to presurgery level at the surperior,inferior,nasal site. In the group undergoing phacoemulsification,corneal sensitivity decreased sharply at surperior site,reduced by 47%.Coneal sensitivity on every site recovered at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. Except inferior site,at 3 month postoperatively corneal sensitivity on the other sites didn’t recover to presurgery level.Tear production significantly increased on the first day in both groups,decreased gradually at 1 week postoperatively,and at 3 month postoperatively tear production was less than preoperatively.·CONCLUSION:Compared with phacoemulsification,manual SICS has less influence on corneal sensitivity,and recover quickly after surgery. Patient’s tear secretion function has been effected after two kinds of surgery,but recover rapidly after surgery.