AIM: To compare the changes in corneal biomechanics measured by ocular response analyzer (ORA) after 2.2-mm microincision cataract surgery and 3.0-mm standard coaxial phacoemulsification. METHODS: The prospective nonrandomized study comprised eyes with cataract that had 2.2-mm coaxial microincision or 3.0-mm standard incision phacoemulsification. The corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) and Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg) were measured by ORA preoperatively and at 1d, 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-week postoperatively. Results were analyzed and compared between groups. RESULTS: In both groups, CH decreased in the immediate postoperative period (P<0.05), returned to the preoperative level at one week (P=0.249) in the 2.2-mm group, and at two weeks in the 3.0-mm group (P=0.264); there was no significant change in CRF values. In 2.2-mm group, mean IOPcc and IOPg increased at 1d postoperatively (both P<0.05), and returned to preoperative level at one week (P=0.491 and P=0.923, respectively). In 3.0-mm group, mean IOPcc and IOPg increased at 1d and 1wk postoperatively (P=0.005 and P=0.029, respectively), and returned to preoperative level at 2wk (P=0.347 and P=0.887, respectively). CONCLUSION: Significant differences between preoperative and postoperative corneal biomechanical values were found for CH, IOPcc and IOPg. But the recovery time courses were different between the two groups. The 2.2-mm coaxial microincision cataract surgery group seemed recovery faster compared to the 3.0-mm standard coaxial phacoemulsification group.