AIM: To compare the effectiveness and the safety profile of peribulbar and posterior sub-Tenon anaesthesia in cataract surgery so as to make an informed choice of a better local anaesthetic technique for cataract surgery in Nigerian patients. STUDY DESIGN: A hospital based randomised comparative interventional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 152 eyes of 152 patients aged 50 years and above who underwent elective surgery for uncomplicated cataracts between October and December 2013 at University College Hospital and St. Mary’s Catholic Eye Institute, Eleta, Ibadan were randomised to receive either peribulbar block or posterior sub-Tenon block. Pain during injection, surgery, and after surgery was assessed using Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NRS). Limbal excursion was measured with transparent metre rule. Time taken to achieve akinesia was assessed with stop watch.