AIM:To observe the therapeutic effect of anterior chamber paracentesis in glaucoma patients with sustained high intraocular pressure(IOP).METHODS:Thirty-six cases of glaucoma patients with sustained high intraocular pressure,including 16 cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma in acute outbreak period,4 cases of chronic angle-closure glaucoma,5 cases of neovascular glaucoma,5 cases of glaucoma secondary to traumatic hyphema,2 cases of age-related cataract at intumescent stage and 4 cases of glaucoma after cataract surgery.Using slit lamp microscope,anterior chamber paracentesis was performed when the IOP can not decrease effectively after conventional drug therapy.RESULTS:The IOP in all the patients decreased rapidly after anterior chamber paracentesis,with the relief of eye pain and headache at the same time.Complications were hyphema in 5 cases,adhesion of iris and cornea puncture site in 2 cases and lens injury in 1 case.CONCLUSION:Anterior chamber paracentesis is a simple,rapid and effective treatment to the glaucoma patients with sustained high intraocular pressure,which can reduce the visual function damage,and avoid the side effects of long-term use of systemic hypotensive drugs.