To study the results of using multifocal intraocular lens (MIOL) for the treatment of cataract.After the small incision phacoemulsification, MIOL was inserted into the eye in 30 cases (36 eyes, test group); single-focal intraocular lens (SIOL) was inserted in 32 cases (40 eyes, control group). Visual acuity, focal depth, corneal astigmatism, contrast sensitivity, glare sensitivity, operative complications and untoward visual symptoms were observed. The follow-up period was 6.0 approximately 18.0 months.Percentage of patients with uncorrected near visual acuity 0.5 or better accounted was 80.6% (29/36) in the test group and 25.0% (10/40) in the control group, there was a significantly statistical difference between these two groups 6 months postoperatively (P 0.05). In patients with +1.00 - -1.00 D accommodation power, the percentage of patients with visual acuity 0.5 or better was 97.2% (35/36) in the test group and 97.5% (39/40) in the control group, there was no significantly difference between these two groups (P > 0.05). In patients with -1.50 D and -2.50 - -3.50 D accommodation power, the percentage of patients with visual acuity 0.5 or better was 97.2% (35/36) and 88.9% (32/36) in the test group, respectively; which was significantly greater than those in the control group [0.0% (0/40) and 0.0% (0/40), respectively] (P 0.05). Low frequency contrast sensitivity and glare sensitivity (28.49 +/- 6.45 and 16.97 +/- 4.40, respectively) in the test group were significantly lower than those of the control group (36.20 +/- 7.45 and 24.05 +/- 6.08, respectively) (P 0.05). Two eyes needed Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in both groups. Two patients (5.6%) with unilateral MIOL complained glare at night.MIOL implantation is a safe and effective method for the treatment of cataract. MIOL has a distinct advantage in providing a full-distance visual acuity.