AIM: To compare the safety between phacoemulsification and manual small incision cataract surgery(MSICS)combined with silicone oil removal in previously vitrectomized eyes.

METHODS:A retrospective comparative no-inferiority study to 162 patients(162 eyes)who undergone cataract surgery, either phacoemulsification or MSICS combined with silicone oil removal which had pars plana vitrectomy.

RESULTS:There were no statistically significant different in hypotony between phacoemulsification group(21 patients; 18.91%)and MSICS group(8 patients; 15.68%)(P=0.666). There was also no statistically significant different between two group in 1mo retinal reattachment rate; 8 patients(7.2%)in phacoemulsification group had redetachment compared with 9 patients(17.64%)in MSICS combined with silicone oil removal group(P=0.055).

CONCLUSION:MSICS combined with silicone oil removal has non-inferiority result to phacoemulsification combined with silicone oil removal in hypotony, leakage, choroidal detachment and retinal reattachment rate.