OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of illuminated near card (INC) and retinometer in predicting post-operative visual acuity following cataract surgery with a view to improving the outcome of cataract surgery. METHODS: The study was a non-randomized comparative study conducted among adult 40years and above planned for cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos (LUTH) and St. Mary’s Catholic Eye Hospital, Ago-Iwoye. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of Lagos University Teaching Hospital and tenets of Helsinki were strictly adhered to. Written informed consent was obtained from all respondents. Consecutive consenting patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. Demographic data was obtained via self administered questionnaire. All respondents received a standardized examination protocol including visual acuity assessment, anterior and posterior segment examinations, potential vision tests (using INC and retinometer), biometry and refraction. Patients were examined pre operatively, 1st day post-operatively and 6th week post-operatively. Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Best corrected post-operative visual acuity was used as the outcome measure to evaluate the accuracy of the preoperative predictions of INC and retinometer. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of the INC and retinometer tests were calculated. Bivariate analyses were carried out and level of significance was taken as less than 0.05 (p<0.05).