BACKGROUND: Cataract remains a challenge for ophthalmologists in uveitic eyes. The aim of this study is to report the clinical course of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in eyes suffering from uveitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients presenting a uveitis were prospectively followed from June 2001 to June 2003. Ocular surgery was performed according to a standard protocol, autoimmune follow-up visits were focused on the early detection of complications of uveitis: increased ocular inflammation, synechiae, retraction of the rhexis, opacification of the posterior capsule or onset of cystoid macular edema. RESULTS: Thirty-two eyes of 24 patients suffering from uveitis were operated with cataract surgery between June 2001 and June 2003. The mean age at surgery was 56 years (range 24 - 86 years). Mean preoperative visual acuity in uveitis patients presenting cataract was 0.3 +/- 0.3, and final visual acuity was 0.8 +/- 0.3. Three patients presented minor postoperative complications. One patient had a cystoid macular edema that appeared 5 months after surgery and one patient had a relapse of herpetic dendritic keratopathy despite topical antiviral therapy combined with steroid drops. The latter presented a slight increase of intraocular pressure (24 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with uveitis requiring cataract surgery, intraocular lens implantation is safe. Visual prognosis is better when pre- and postoperative inflammation is minimized. Macular scars or other retinal lesions are poor prognostic indicators.