AIM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of different shape scleral flaps in trabeculectomy for glaucoma.

METHODS: Totally 115 glaucoma patients 122 eyes were randomly divided into 2 groups: the treatment group of 55 patients(60 eyes), the scleral flap surgery using the L-shaped, single-needle suture method, the control group of 60 patients(62 eyes), intraoperative scleral flap using rectangular shape with two-needle suture. Postoperative intraocular pressures(IOP), anterior chamber depth, filtering bleb shape were followed up for 6 months to 36 months.

RESULTS: The postoperative IOP: until postoperative 1 month, the difference between the treatment group and the control group was statistically significant(P<0.05). In the 3rd month and 6th month post-operation, the difference between two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05); postoperative anterior chamber depth: until postoperative 2 weeks, the formation of anterior chamber of the control group was better than the treatment group, yet the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05); postoperative bleb situation: In 6th month postoperatively, the formation of filtering bleb in treatment group was significantly better than the control group(P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: L-shaped scleral flap using single-needle stitching, although there may be a temporary shallow anterior chamber, has a obvious advantage over the traditional two-needle suture method in IOP control and filtering bleb formation.