Aim: To validate a system that uniformly and objectively assesses the risk of complications of cataract surgery performed with phacoemulsification technique in individual patients preoperatively. Materials and Methods: Outcome analysis of patient data entered into a standardized protocol. The data sheet was analyzed at a single center in terms of the risk assessed preoperatively and the incidence of surgical complications. This study did not assess the final visual outcome of eyes with complications. Each patient was categorized into a risk group according to the number of points scored. Group 1 (no added risk) 0 points, Group 2 (low risk) 1-2 points, Group 3 (moderate risk) 3-5 points, Group 4 (high risk) 6 points or more. Results: The number of eyes in each risk group was 2894 in Group 1 (44.1%), 1881 in Group 2 (28.6%), 1575 in Group 3 (23.9%), and 214 in Group 4 (3.3%). A total of 6564 eyes were assessed, of these 3669 eyes (55.9%) had a minimum of one risk factor and were thus not "routine". The group-specific events of complications were Group 1, 46 (1.6%), Group 2, 108 (5.7%), Group 3, 168 (10.7%), and Group 4, 69 (32.2%). The total incidence of complications was 5.7%. The group-specific rate of intraoperative complications increased through the risk groups ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study validates a scoring system that is predictive of intraoperative complications. This system uses information that is readily available from the preoperative history and assessment of the patient.