Objective To investigate the effect of protection motivation intervention on patients with diabetic cataract after implantable collamer lens implantation. Methods A total of 118 diabetic cataract patients were divided into 2 groups (59 cases each) by random digits table method. The control group received routine ophthalmic nursing and the observation group was given protection motivation intervention based on the routine nursing. The change of the plasma glucose, postoperative visual acuity and the quality of life were evaluated. Results The blood glucose on the morning of the operation day and one day after operation in the observation group was (8.27±1.25) mmol/L, (9.52±2.44) mmol/L, which was significantly lower than that of the control group, (10.49±1.48) mmol/L, (12.77±3.36) mmol/L, the difference between the groups was statistically significant (t=-5.392, -6.755, P < 0.01). After 1 month and 3 months, the vision of the observation group was 0.64±0.22, 0.67±0.30, which was higher than that of the control group 0.56±0.18, 0.58±0.20, in which the postoperative blindness or low vision rate was 3.95% (3 eyes) in the observation group, and 13.51% (10 eyes) in the control group (t/χ2=2.492, 2.209, 4.013, P < 0.05) . The quality of life in the observation group was 7.70±1.13 and 5.22±1.48 in the control group, there was statistical significance between the two groups (t=3.660, P < 0.05) . Conclusions Application of protection motivation intervention on diabetic cataract patients can improve their postoperative vision and quality of life. Key words: Cataract; Diabetes mellitus; Vision, ocular; Phakic intraocular lenses; Protection motivation