AIM: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification and small incision non-phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and provide better options for clinical cataract treatment.

METHODS: According to the different operation methods, 98 cases of simple senile cataract patients in our hospital were divided into control group and treatment group, 49 cases in each. The control group received ultrasonic emulsification operation treatment; treatment group were treated by small incision non-phacoemulsification. Visual acuity, astigmatism values, average operation time, and complications were compared between two groups before and after operation.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in preoperative corneal astigmatism values of two groups at 3mo between two groups(P>0.05). On other times, vision and corneal astigmatism were obviously better than those before operation(P<0.05). The average vision, corneal astigmatism values and complications incidence of two group at operation time and different postoperative time had no statistical difference(P>0.05). When the lens nucleus hardness was at Ⅰ～Ⅲ level, corneal endothelial cell count of two groups had no significant difference(P>0.05). When the lens nucleus hardness was at Ⅳ～Ⅴ level, there was statistical difference(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Small incision non-phacoemulsification cataract surgery has the similarly efficacy compared with phacoemulsification. It should be based on the actual situation of the hardness of nuclear to select the appropriate surgical treatment.