AIM: To compare visual quality in cataract patients with low corneal astigmatism who underwent intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and evaluate effects of low levels of astigmatism on visual outcomes in multifocal pseudophakic eyes. METHODS: This retrospective review of clinical records comprised patients with preoperative regular corneal astigmatism of 0.75-1.0 diopters (D) with-the-rule or 0.5-0.75 D against-the-rule who had uneventful cataract surgery and AcrySof IQ ReSTOR Toric-2 IOL (ART2) or AcrySof IQ ReSTOR IOL (ReSTOR) implantation. Retrospective data collection included postoperative ART2 axis rotation, uncorrected astigmatism, uncorrected entire visual acuities, distance corrected entire visual acuities, average modulation transfer function (aMTF), Strehl ratio (SR), spectacle independence, and patient satisfaction between groups. RESULTS: Mean ART2 axis rotation was 3.12°±0.70°. No secondary surgery was required to realign IOL axis. Residual astigmatism values were -0.18±0.07 D and -0.91±0.25 D in groups ART2 and ReSTOR (P<0.05). Three months postoperatively, the mean uncorrected distant, intermediate, and near visual acuities of group A were 0.01±0.05, 0.05±0.07, 0.02±0.07 logMAR, respectively; these were better than those of group R, which were 0.08±0.06, 0.15±0.12, and 0.09±0.08 logMAR, respectively (P<0.05). aMTF, SR, and spectacle independence rates were not significantly different. All patients were satisfied with postoperative results. CONCLUSION: ART2 is more suitable than ReSTOR for cataract patients with regular corneal astigmatism 0.75-1.0 D with-the-rule or 0.5-0.75 D against-the-rule.