AIM: To explore the causes and treatment of descemet membrane detachment due to penetrating trabeculectomy.

METHODS: Totally 805 cases 956 eyes with glaucoma underwent compound trabeculectomy was observed clinically. Five cases 5 eyes with descemet membrane detachment were symptomatically treated.

RESULTS: Descemet membrane detachment occurred in 5 cases 5 eyes who were treated by injecting aseptic air or viscoelastic agent into the anterior chamber, all incisions were closed by suturing with satisfied effects.

CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment of descemet membrane detachment is important for postoperative visual acuity recovery.