Phacoemulsification with small incision, reduced number of inflammation cells, and better postoperative recovery has been recognized as the world's most popular option for cataract surgery. Modern cataract surgery is developing gradually from sight rehabilitating to refractive surgery with better vision acuity. Being the most important part of the eye refractive system, maintenance of the cornea's transparency relies heavily upon the healthy endothelial cells. It is well known that there will be endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification and the damage of the endothelial cells may lead to corneal swellings and opacity, or even the corneal descompensation, which often severely influenced the postoperative vision recovery. This is a review of phacoemulsification and the risk factors of corneal endothelial damage pre-and postoperation.