AIM: To evaluate the curative efficacy of small incision cataract surgery(SICS)versus phacoemulsification(Phaco).

METHODS: A computerized literature search was carried out in Chinese Biomedical Database(CBM), Wanfang Data, VIP and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)to collect articles published between 1989-2013 concerning the curative efficacy of SICS versus Phaco. The studies were assessed in terms of clinical case-control criteria. Meta-analysis were performed to assess the visual acuity, the complications rates between SICS and Phaco 90 days after surgery. Treatment effects were measured as risk difference(RD)between SICS and Phaco. Fixed and random effect models were employed to combine results after a heterogeneity test.

RESULTS:A total of 8 studies were included in our Meta-analysis. At 90 days postoperative time, there were no significant differences between the two groups at the visual acuity >0.5(P=0.14); and no significant differences on the complications rates of corneal astigmatism, corneal edema, posterior capsular rupture and anterior iris reaction(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that there is no different on the curative effects of SICS and Phaco for cataract.