AIM: To investigate the postoperative visual acuity and ophthalmic complications after phacoemulsification in cataract patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS). METHODS: We enrolled 47 eyes of 33 patients with AIDS who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in our department between May 2016 and April 2019. The visual acuity, diopter, intraocular pressure(IOP), anterior chamber cell count(ACCC), and postoperative complications were recorded postoperative 1d, 1wk, 1mo, and 3mo.RESULTS:The postoperative visual acuities, including uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)and best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)at postoperative 1d, 1wk, 1mo, and 3mo, were significantly better than that of preoperation(P<0.05). The ACCC count on the first day after surgery increased as compared with preoperation, but the difference was not significant from the first week after surgery. Furthermore, there was no apparent ophthamolic complications occurred after surgery. CONCLUSION: The phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation is a safe and effective surgery for cataract patients with AIDS.