AIM:To study the causes and managements of shallow anterior chamber after glaucoma filtering surgery.METHODS;A total of 358 consecutive patients(501 eyes)with glaucoma in the department of Ophthalmology,Qingyang People’s Hosptial from Jan.1990 to Jul.2009 were retrospectively reviewed on the survey,cause and management of postoperative shallow anterior chamber were discussed.RESULTS:The incidence of postoperative shallow anterior chamber in all the subjects and in the patients who underwent filtering operation of trabeculectomy,trabeculectomy with mitomycin C,antiglaucoma combined with cataract surgery was respectively 23.6%(118/501 eyes),21.2%(68/321 eyes),35.2%(44/125 eyes)and 10.9%(6/55 eyes).Shallow anterior chamber occurred in 1-7 days after operation and causes were excessive aqueous over-filtration(39.8%,47 eyes),choroidal detachment(28.0%,33 eyes),filter bleb leaks(22.9%,27 eyes),malignant glaucoma(6.8%,8 eyes),choroidal detachment and malignant glaucoma(0.8%,1 eye),and choroidal hemorrhage(1.7%,2 eyes).81 eyes needed surgical procedure for the reformation of shallow anterior chamber.Anterior chamber reformed in other 37 eyes without any surgical procedure.CONCLUSION:The incidence(23.6%)of shallow anterior chamber is high after filtering surgery,especially in trabeculectomy with mitomycin C(35.2%),it often appears at 1-2 days postoperatively.Most of the shallow anterior chamber can be reformed through conservative management.