Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a structured preoperative instruction upon anxiety and postoperative self-care compliance. Methods: A randomized control group pre-post design was used. Sixty subjects undergoing cataract surgery were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The instruction consisted of cataract surgery procedure, sensory information, deep breathing, use of eye drop, and post op self-care regimen and was provided to the experimental group with control group receiving an usual treatment. State anxiety NRS, pulse, BP, and self-care compliance scale developed by Cho & Rho were used. Data were collected at two time periods: on the day of surgery in the clinic and prior to anesthesia in the operating room. The postoperative self-care compliance scores were measured at their second visits to the hospital after surgery. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov Smirnov test, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in the postoperative state anxiety (t=-3.57, p=.001) and the postoperative self-care compliance score (t=3.92, p<.001). There were no significant difference between the two groups in the postoperative blood pressure and pulse rate. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the structured preoperative instruction could be a nursing intervention for cataract surgery patients.