AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of EX-PRESS glaucoma drainage combined with phacoemulsification in the treatment of patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma and ocular hypertension with cataract.

METHODS: Patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma and cataract sustained high intraocular pressure who were admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to January 2017 were enrolled in this study. All patients were treated with EX-PRESS glaucoma drainage device combined with phacoemulsification. The anterior chamber depth before and after operation, intraocular pressure, corrected visual acuity at 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48wk after surgery were performed. The success rate of surgery and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.

RESULTS: The anterior chamber depth of the preoperative patients was 1.974±0.182mm, and that after operation was 2.961±0.175mm. The difference was statistically significant(P<0.01). At 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48wk, the intraocular pressure was significantly lower than that before surgery(P<0.05). The proportion of successful patients at 12, 24, and 48wk after surgery gradually decreased, but the total success rate was 100%. The corrected visual acuity of the patients was significantly improved compared with the preoperative 48wk after operation, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). There were no serious intraoperative and postoperative complications in this group of patients.

CONCLUSION: EX-PRESS glaucoma drainage combined with phacoemulsification is safe and effective in cataract patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma with high intraocular pressure.