AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of optic capture in pediatric cataract surgery. METHODS: Searches of peer-reviewed literature were conducted in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. The search terms were “optic capture” and “cataract”. The retrieval period ended in December 2014. Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs), case-control studies and cohort studies were included. Meta-analyses were performed. Pooled weighted mean differences and risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated. RESULTS: Ten studies involving 282 eyes were included, 5 of which were RCTs involving 194 eyes. The application of optic capture significantly reduced both opacification of the visual axis (RR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.85; P=0.03) and occurrence of geometric decentration (RR: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.46; P=0.004). But it did not significantly affect best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (WMD: -0.01; 95%CI: -0.07 to 0.05; P=0.75) and influence the occurrence of posterior synechia (RR: 1.53; 95% CI: 0.84 to 2.77; P=0.17). Deposits in the anterior intraocular lens were significantly increased in the optic capture group early after surgery (RR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.86; P=0.02) and at the last follow-up (RR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.08 to 4.92; P=0.03). The quality of the evidence was assessed as high. CONCLUSION: The application of optic capture significantly reduces opacification of visual axis and occurrence of geometric decentration but do not significantly improve BCVA with notable safety.