AIM:To compare the effects of different incision position in small incision cataract surgery (SICS) on corneal astigmatism. METHODS:A total of eighty cases (80 eyes) who underwent SICS and intraocular lens implantment were randomly diveded into two groups with 40 eyes of each,group A:incision location was chosen at the maximum curvature meridian,superior incision for with-the-rule astigmatism,temporal incision for against-the-rule astigmatism;group B:superior incision was chosen using 6.0mm scleral tunnel incision without suture.Corneal astigmatism and uncorrected visual acuity were detected preoperation and 3 months postoperation. RESULTS:Before operation and 3 months after operation,the average corneal astigmtism were 1.15±0.53D,0.89±0.50D in the group A and 1.13±0.57D,1.64±0.68D in the group B. Uncorrected visual acuity (≥0.5) was observed at 3 months after operation in two groups;group A:34 eyes (85%);group B:24 eyes(60%).Visual acuity of group A was better than that of the group B. CONCLUSION:The incision location for cataract surgery is better to choose at the maximum curvature meridian to correct preoperative astigmatism and obtain better postoperative vision.