We report the results of cataract extraction in 26 eyes of 16 patients with retinitis pigmentosa or Usher's syndrome. There was no unusual incidence of intraoperative or postoperative complications in this group. After adequate preoperative counseling, and after we made certain that the patients' expectations were in line with anticipated results, 15 of our 16 patients were satisfied with the surgical outcome. Four patients who had a conventional cataract extraction with postoperative contact lens wear in one eye and an intraocular lens implanted in the other eye preferred the eye with the implant. There was no evidence that intraocular lens implantation interfered with the post-cataract-extraction care of the patients.