AIM: To compare the clinical outcomes of trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification intraocular lens implantation with suture-guided penetrating Schlemm canaloplasty combined with phacoemulsification intraocular lens implantation for the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma(POAG).

METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 53 cases(53 eyes)with advanced-stage POAG and cataract that received surgery at our hospital from June 2021 to June 2022, among which 26 eyes underwent trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation(group A), and 27 eyes underwent suture-guided penetrating Schlemm canaloplasty combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation(group B). The best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure, and the number of intraocular pressure lowering drugs were compared between the two groups. Furthermore, the intraoperative and postoperative complications and success rate of surgery were recorded.

RESULTS: The intraocular pressure of two groups of patients at 1 wk, 1, 3 and 6 mo after surgery were lower than that before preoperatively(all P<0.017). There was a notable disparity in the frequency of anterior chamber hemorrhage between the two groups(P<0.05), but there was no significant variance in the occurrence of superficial anterior chamber and choroid detachment(all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in BCVA(LogMAR)between the two groups at 6 mo after surgery(group A: 1.29±1.19, group B: 0.78±1.01, P=0.098), and there was no significant difference in the number of anti-glaucoma drugs \〖group A: 0(0, 2.75), group B: 0(0, 1), P=0.209\〗. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the success rate of surgery between the two groups at 6 mo postoperatively(Z=0.448, P=0.654).

CONCLUSIONS: Suture-guided penetrating Schlemmcanaloplasty is a safe and effective treatment for advanced-stage POAG, with a success rate comparable to that of trabeculectomy.