AIM: To compared the efficacy and complications of the Ex-PRESS glaucoma filtration device and trabeculectomy in neovascular glaucoma(NVG).

METHODS: This prospective study comprised 34 eyes of 34 patients who suffered from NVG, excluding patients with shallow anterior chamber. All patients were assigned to groups A and B according the different therapy. Group A(15 eyes)was treated with Ex-PRESS glaucoma filtration device implantation. Group B(19 eyes)underwent a trabeculectomy combined with mitomycin C. All the patients were followed up to 1a. The results of best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure(IOP), the combination of IOP lowering medications, complications were recorded statistically analyzed preoperative and 1d, 1, 4wk, 6 and 12mo after operation.

RESULTS: Mean IOP decreased significantly frompreoperative values in both groups(P=0.01). The both group had similar IOP values changes after 1, 4wk, 6, 12mo, and there were no significant difference in statistics(P=0.451). There was no significant difference in BCVA changes after operation in both groups(P=0.832). Success rate was 66.7% and 63.1% at 1a after Ex-PRESS glaucoma filtration device and trabeculectomy, respectively. Anterior chamber bleeding occurred to 8 cases after trabeculectomy in group B and to 3 cases with Ex-PRESS glaucoma filtration device implantation in group A. Choroidal detachment occurred to 3 cases in group A and 6 cases in group B. No other ocular or systemic adverse events were found during the follow-up duration.

CONCLUSION: In the short-term, Ex-PRESS glaucoma filtration device implantation has the advantages of simpleness, safety, minimally invasive, short learning curve for neovascular glaucoma, which provides us an available strategy to conquer NVG by simply operation and less suffering.