AIM:To evaluate the clinical effects of compound trabeculectomy for primary angle-closure glaucoma with persistent high intraocular pressure.

METHODS:Thirty-three cases(34 eyes)with primary angle-closure glaucoma were executed compound trabeculectomy. All patients were divided into two groups: group A: 18 cases(18 eyes)were executed compound trabeculectomy under high intraocular pressure higher than 35mmHg after using IOP-lowering medicine for 48-72h; group B: 15 cases(16 eyes)were executed compound trabeculectomy, the intraocular pressure was normal after using IOP-lowering medicine.

RESULTS:Thirty-four eyes were successfully completed surgery with follow-up of 6 to 18mo and there were no serious complications, including suprachoroidal hemorrhage. The visual acuity before operation in group A and group B were 0.02±0.01, 0.04±0.02, respectively. And the postoperative visual acuity in group A and group B increased 0.2±0.06, 0.3±0.07, respectively(P<0.01). All of them, intraocular pressure with 30 eyes were controlled in 9-23 mmHg, 3 eye was controlled by normal through adding in several kinds different IOP-lowering medicine. One eye was failure. Compared to preoperation, postoperative intraocular pressure of two groups were decreased by normal, which were 17.9±9.1 mmHg and 15.4±8.4mmHg, respectively(P<0.01). There was no significant difference between two groups for postoperative intraocular pressure.

CONCLUSION: The primary angle-closure glaucoma with persistent high intraocular pressure should be executed compound trabeculectomy decisively, even under high intraocular pressure, which prevent further damage and loss of visual function. As long as to fully consideration the preoperation, intraoperative careful operation, careful nursing, it is safety and effective to have compound trabeculectomy under the continuous high intraocular pressure for primary angle-closure glaucoma.