To compare the effect of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery on effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) with standard cataract surgery. This prospective clinical trial evaluated the feasibility of using a femtosecond laser system (Catalys Precision Laser System, OptiMedica) to perform capsulotomy and lens fragmentation in the treatment of patients with senile cataract. Patients were evaluated preoperatively with the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III). Fifty-two patients underwent standard cataract surgery and 57 patients underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in December 2011. Both groups underwent phacoemulsification using pulsed ultrasound energy and EPT was evaluated. Preoperative LOCS III grades were 3.4±0.9 in the femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery group and 3.1±0.9 in the standard group. In the femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery group, mean laser treatment time was 54.9 seconds and EPT was 0.16±0.21 seconds compared to 4.07±3.14 seconds in the standard group. The use of the femtosecond laser-assisted system in cataract surgery led to a lower EPT compared to the standard procedure.