AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy of suture-guided gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy(GATT)combined with phacoemulsification in the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma(POAG).

METHODS: A total of 84 patients(84 eyes)with POAG and cataract who underwent surgery in our hospital from January 2021 to July 2022 were selected and randomly divided into two groups. There were 43 cases(43 eyes)in the combined group who underwent suture-guided GATT combined with phacoemulsification, and 41 cases(41 eyes)in the simple group who underwent suture-guided GATT. The two groups were followed up for 3mo to compare the surgical success rate, intraocular pressure, topical intraocular pressure-lowering drugs, visual acuity and postoperative complications.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in overall success rate between the combination and simple groups at 3 mo after surgery(88% vs. 85%, P>0.05). The intraocular pressure levels and topical intraocular pressure-lowering drugs at 1wk, 1 and 3mo after surgery in the two groups were significantly lower than those before surgery(all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups(all P>0.05). The visual acuity at 1wk, 1 and 3mo after surgery of patients in the combined group was significantly better than that in the simple group(P<0.01). During the follow-up period, the incidence of anterior chamber hemorrhage and transient hypertension in the combined group was significantly lower than that in the simple group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Both suture-guided GATT combined with cataract phacoemulsification and suture-guided GATT are effective treatment for POAG, however, suture-guided GATT combined with phacoemulsification has a lower incidence of anterior chamber hemorrhage and transient ocular hypertension.