AIM: to audit visual outcome in patients who had conventional extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implant and phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implant for age related cataract at Makkah Specialist Eye Hospital, Kano. METHOD: A prospective study auditing visual outcome in 180 consecutive eyes that had conventional extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens and 180 consecutive eyes that had phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens for age related cataract at Makkah Specialist Eye Hospital, Kano. A total of 360 eyes of 352 patients aged 40 to 90 years were included in the study, with a mean age of 59.41 years ± 9.85 yrs. The male to female ratio was 2.4:1 in the ECCE group and 2.1:1 in the phaco group respectively. Visual acuity was assessed on the first day, 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks postoperative intervals.