Objective To survey cataract patients′ preoperative visual function expectations, to provide a basis for management of preoperative expectations for patients. Methods Convenience sampling method was used to select 146 cataract patients who were to undergo phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation. The patients filled out the general data questionnaire, the Chinese version Visual Function Index-14 (VF-12-CN) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Results The cataract patients had a median score of 97.73 (IQR:91.67-100.00) in preoperative expectation, and a median score of 89.58 (IQR:83.33-93.75) in postoperative visual function. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that patient′s cataract surgery history, education level and type E (introverted extrovert ) personality were the influencing factors of preoperative expectation (P<0.05 for all). Postoperative visual satisfaction was negatively correlated with preoperative expectation, while positively correlated with postoperative visual function (P<0.05 for both). Conclusion Cataract patients have a high level of preoperative expectations and there is a gap between preoperative expectations and postoperative visual function. Postoperative visual satisfaction of patients depends not only on their actual postoperative visual function, but also on their preoperative expectations. Medical staff should guide patients to make more realistic preoperative expectations, so as to improve patient satisfaction and reduce medical disputes.