OBJECTIVE To evaluate the refractive and long-term outcome of eyes filled with silicone oil (SO) undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery (PCS). METHODS This retrospective study evaluated patients with SO tamponade who were scheduled for PCS. RESULTS Subjects (n=26) were followed for 29.5±13.9mo after cataract surgery. The median spherical equivalent refraction (SER) was +5.3 D [interquartile range (IQR) +2.9 to +6.7] before PCS, and +3.4 D (IQR +2.0 to +4.4) after PCS. Within the follow-up period retinal reattachment after SO removal was achieved in 15 out of 26 eyes (57.7%). In 13 eyes assessment of refraction after SO-removal was possible, and showed a myopic shift of -4.6 D (IQR -2.9 to -7.3) in the SER. After SO removal, 5 of the 13 eyes (38.5%) were within ±1.0 D of the target refraction, while 9 out of the 13 eyes (69.2%) were within ±2.0 D. CONCLUSIONS In our study, the refraction after PCS for eyes filled with SO manifested low predictability, as did the myopic shift following SO removal. A significant percentage of the eyes that underwent SO administration required a long-term tamponade.