AIM: To observe the effect of Ex-PRESS glaucoma filtration device in primary open angle glaucoma.

METHODS: Totally 41 patients(54 eyes)with primary open angle glaucoma were divided into two groups. Nineteen patients(25 eyes)in study group who underwent Ex-PRESS glaucoma filtration device implantation. Twenty-two cases(29 eyes)in control group who underwent trabeculectomy. Two groups were compared with the average operation time, post-operative visual acuity, anterior chamber, intraocular pressure, filtering bleb and other complications.

RESULTS: In study group operation time was(34.60±4.43)min, 1d postoperative shallow anterior chamber in 1 eye and hyphema in 1 eye, 1wk postoperative high intraocular pressure in 2 eyes, 3mo postoperative decreased vision in 1 eye, functional filtering blebs in 24 eyes, intraocular pressure was(11.5±5.8)mmHg. The control group operation time was(44.37±3.00)min, 1d postoperative shallow anterior chamber in 13 eyes, anterior chamber bleeding or exudation in 12 eyes, 1wk postoperative high intraocular pressure in 8 eyes, 3mo postoperative decreased vision in 6 eyes, functional filtering blebs in 25 eyes, intraocular pressure was(13.6±6.7)mmHg. The study group can shorten the operation time and reduce early postoperative shallow anterior chamber, lower intraocular pressure and incidence of anterior chamber exudation and bleeding. The study group can control postoperative IOP to a lower degree. Comparing with the traditional operation, the study group had equivalent effect in postoperative visual effects and functional filtering bleb.

CONCLUSION: Ex-PRESS glaucoma filtration device implantation in primary open angle glaucoma can shorten operation time, reduce the postoperative complications, and has the characteristics of high safety and good efficacy.