AIM: To observe the effect of cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation with manual small incision cataract surgery under surface anesthesia in the Primary Hospitals.

METHODS: Totally, 372 eyes of 358 cataract cases, in our hospital from January 2010 to March 2013, underwent cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation with manual small incision cataract surgery under surface anesthesia. Intraoperative pain, postoperative complications and visual acuity were observed.

RESULTS: In the process of surgery, patients without pain and being-cooperated were recorded in 342 eyes(91.9%), that occasionally felt slight pain, but within endure and the operation was completed successfully were recorded in 17 eyes(4.6%). There were 13 eyes quit, 8 eyes(2.2%)of them because of the intolerable pain, the other 5 eyes(1.3%)of the ceaseless movement of the eye. The best corrected visual acuity on the 3^rd day after operation of 4.0～4.5 were observed in 57 eyes(15.9%), 4.5～4.8 in 213 eyes(59.3%), above 4.8 in 89 eyes(24.8%).

CONCLUSION: The cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation with manual small incision cataract surgery under surface anesthesia can avoid corresponding complications, reduce the operation time obviously and ensure better quality of operation. It's suitable to carry out the prevention and treatment of blindness at the Primary Hospitals.