AIM:To study the application of small incision surgery in free treatment for poverty alleviation in patients with cataract.

METHODS: Sixty patients(70 eyes)with high cataract with poverty free treatment from January 2010 to December 2013 in department of ophthalmology in our hospital were selected as study objects. electro cardio gram(ECG)and chest X-ray examination were performed. The small incision combined with intraocular lens(IOL)implantation operation was undergone. The patients were followed up for 3mo to observe and compare postoperative vision and diopter changes, and analyze the related complications.

RESULTS: The best visual acuity was 0.6, while the lowest vision for hand 3mo after the operation, a total of 65 eyes(93%)vision was better than that before the operation: the eye axis less than 30mm(25.87～29.41mm)had 55 eyes, eye axis more than 30mm(30.02～31.47mm)had 10 eyes; and 5 eyes whose visual acuity had no significant changes.

CONCLUSION: The small incision cataract treatment is simple, better curative effect and high safety, it is more suitable for free treatment in poverty alleviation cataract application.