Infusion misdirection syndrome(IMS)is a rare and troublesome intraoperative complication during phacoemulsification cataract surgery, which usually occurs in hydrodissection, phacoemulsification or irrigation/aspiration(I/A). Under the factors of lax zonular fibers, lens dislocation, posterior capsular rupture, the anterior segment crowding, high perfusion pressure, the infusion fluid accumulates in the vitreous cavity or behind the vitreous, leading to intraocular hypertension, shallowness or even disappearance of the anterior chamber and eventually causing the suspension of surgery. It needs to be differentiated from suprachoroidal hemorrhage(SCH), capsular block syndrome(CBS), etc. After intraoperative emergency treatments, such as rest combined with intravenous drip of mannitol, pars plana needle aspiration or vitrectomy, a favorable prognosis can be obtained. This review discusses the pathogenesis, diagnosis, emergency management, prevention and prognosis of IMS during phacoemulsification cataract surgery, with the aim of providing clinical guidance for ophthalmologists.