An estimated 9.5-yr-old, male, captive American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) presented with bilateral cataracts of unknown duration. At the time of presentation, the animal continued to eat and behave normally. Lesions appeared to be static prior to brumation; however, following brumation, and 7 months after initial examination, the toad presented with progressive lesions and presumed blindness. Phacoemulsification was performed bilaterally under tricaine methanesulfonate immersion anesthesia. Although induction, maintenance anesthesia, and the phacoemulsification procedure were unremarkable, the animal died during recovery. This case illustrates the first reported phacoemulsification in an amphibian.