Objective To explore the clinical effect of small incision extracapsular cataract extraction combined with implantation of artificial lens and phacoemulsification combined with implantation of artificial lens for patients with cataract.Methods One hundred and ten patients (142 eyes) with cataract were selected,55 patients (69 eyes) were treated with small incision extracapsular cataract extraction combined with implantation of artificial lens (observation group),and 55 patients (73 eyes) were treated with phacoemulsification combined with implantation of artificial lens (control group).After treatment,the corrected vision and quality of life were observed 1-week,1-and 3-month after operation,and the complications were recorded.Results The vision 0.6-1.0 of 1-week,1-and 3-month in observation group were 34 eyes (49.3％,34/69),61 eyes (88.4％,61/69) and 63 eyes (91.3％,63/69) respectively,in control group were 37 eyes (50.7％,37/73),64 eyes (87.7％,64/73) and 65 eyes (89.0％,65/73) respectively,there were no statistical differences (P ＞0.05).The quality of life score 1-week,1-and 3-month in observation group were (87.5 ± 10.7),(91.2 ± 5.3),(94.3 ± 5.8) scores respectively,in control group were (85.9 ± 11.5),(90.6 ± 6.7),(94.5 ± 6.0) scores respectively,there were nostatistical differences (P ＞ 0.05).The rate of complications in observation group was 23.2％ (16/69),in control group was 37.0％ (27/73),there was statistical difference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The vision recovery and quality of life in cataract patients treated with small incision extracapsular cataract extraction combined with implantation of artificial lens are similar to treated with phacoemulsification combined with implantation of artificial lens.However,with fewer complications,small incision extracapsular cataract extraction combined with implantation of artificial lens is a more safe and reliable treatment method.