This review was conducted to determine reliable evidence regarding the safety, feasibility, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of cataract extraction performed as a day care versus in-patient procedure. The search to identify randomized controlled trials comparing day care and in-patient surgery for age-related cataract included the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences. Assessment of methodological quality was based on criteria defined by the Cochrane Collaboration. The primary outcome was the achievement of a satisfactory visual acuity 6 weeks after operation. Two trials, involving a total of 1284 people, are included. One trial reported statistically significant differences in early postoperative complication rates in the day care group, which had no clinical relevance to visual outcomes 4 months postoperatively. Mean change in visual acuity Snellen lines of the operated eye 4 months postoperatively was 4.1 standard deviation SD 2.3 for the day care group and 4.1 SD 2.2 for the in-patient group. Costs were 20% more for the in-patient group attributable to higher costs for overnight stay.