AIM: To explore the efficacy of EX-PRESS combined with amniotic membrane implantation for open angle glaucoma.

METHODS: The data of 43 eyes of 43 patients with open angle glaucoma were enrolled from January 2014 to January 2017. The patients were randomly divided into amniotic group and mitomycin(MMC)group. All cases received EX-PRESS combined with amniotic membrane implantation(amniotic group)or with intraoperative application of mitomycin(MMC group). The early postoperative anterior chamber formation, filtering bleb, intraocular pressure(IOP)and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS: The intraocular pressure of the two groups were significantly lower at 1wk, 1 and 6mo after operation than those before operation(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the best corrected visual acuity in the two groups at 1wk after operation compared with before operation(P>0.05). At 1 and 6mo postoperatively, the rate of functional bleb formation was 91% and 73% in amniotic group, and they were 90% and 86% in MMC group, respectively, the difference between the groups were not statistically significant(all P>0.05). At 1 and 6mo postoperatively, the total success rate was 95%, 86% in amniotic group, and they were 95%, 90% in MMC group, respectively, the difference between the groups were not statistically significant(all P>0.05). At 1wk postoperatively, the incidence of shallow anterior chamber was 9% in amniotic group and 33% in the MMC group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). At 1mo postoperatively, the incidence of bleb leakage was 5% in amniotic group and 29% in MMC group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). At the end of follow-up, there were 4 eyes of thin-wall bleb in MMC group and no cases in amniotic group.

CONCLUSION: EX-PRESS combined with amniotic membrane implantation for open angle glaucoma is good on lowering intraocular pressure with less complications than the combination of MMC.