AIM: To investigate the techniques and clinical results of complicated small pupil cataract surgeries.

METHODS: In the various 58 cases(69 eyes)of complicated small pupil cataract surgeries, pupillary margin radial cuts, situ phacoemulsification of cataract and intraocular lens implantation were used to replace assistive devices and mechanical pupil dilation.

RESULTS: The postoperative patients' visions were improved: 1.0 to 0.6 of 21(30.4%), 0.5 to 0.3 of 28(40.6%), 0.25 to 0.1 of 16(23.2%), <0.1 of 4(5.8%); postoperative pupils were expanded to 3 to 4.5mm in diameter; 62(89.8%)of the pupils were circular or near-circular; 7(10.1%)of them were irregular. No serious complications happened.

CONCLUSION: Complicated small pupil cataract surgeries with the radial pupillary margin cuts and cataract situ phacoemulsification can realize visual recovery, and physiological pupils also can be obtained. Surgical methods are safe and effective.