AIM: To discuss the feasibility and safety ofsmall incision non-phacoemulsification cataract surgery combined with intraocular lens implantation under surface anaesthesia.

METHODS:Small incision cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation under surface anaesthesia with 40g/L Alcaine eye drops were performed on 92 patients(96 eyes)from September, 2010 to December, 2010. The pain during the operation, complications and curative effect were observed and recorded.

RESULTS: Surgery was successfully performed on 92 patients(94 eyes)under surface anaesthesia. 95% patients considered the intraoperative aches-and-pains index, eye movements and blepharospasm as tolerable and they were satisfied with the operation. Subconjunctival injection(50 eyes, 52%)was the most painful operating procedure, followed by fixed suture of superior rectus(31 eyes, 32%), cautery of sclera vascular(16 eyes, 17%), nuclear extraction(13 eyes, 14%), sclera tunnel incision(12 eyes, 12%), irrigating-aspirating viscoelastic agent(9 eyes, 9%)and lens implantation(1 eye, 1%). There was significant difference in the pain caused by these operating procedures(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: In the prevention of blindness caused by cataract in the rural area, small incision cataract surgery combined with intraocular lens implantation under surface anaesthesia is safe and feasible when utility measure is taken for pain. It can improve the efficiency of the cataract surgery for prevention of blindness.