AIM: To compare the effect of trabeculectomy and combined surgery of glaucoma and cataract treating primary angle-closure glaucoma(PACG)with cataract.

METHODS:It was retrospectively reviewed that 80 patients(90 eyes)with PACG and cataract were treated in our hospital from January 2012 to October 2013. They were divided into observation group(combined surgery of glaucoma and cataract group, 45 eyes)and control group(trabeculectomy group, 45 eyes). Postoperatively, all the patients were followed up for 6mo. Intraocular pressure(IOP), visual acuity and complications were observed.

RESULTS: Compared to preoperative IOP, postoperative IOP was significantly reduced in both observation group and control group, while IOP was reduced more greatly in observation group(P=0.003). Visual acuity was significantly improved in observation group, while it was not improved significantly in control group(P=0.036). Compared to control group, complications such as shallow anterior chamber with hypotony, macular edema and anterior chamber inflammation were less observed in observation group, with significant statistical difference(P=0.002, P=0.003, P=0.001).

CONCLUSION: For patients with PACG and cataract,combined surgery of glaucoma and cataract is an effective surgery that can improve visual acuity and reduce IOP with fewer complications.