AIM: To evaluate the clinical effect of two different surgical treatments for neovascular glaucoma(NVG).

METHODS: A total of 30 NVG inpatients(30 eyes)at our hospital from April 2008 to December 2011 were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the different surgical treatments. In group A, 12 cases(12 eyes)were treated with Ahmed glaucoma valve(AGV)implantation and in group B, 18 cases(18 eyes)were treated with semiconductor diode laser photocoagulation transscleral cyclophotocoagulation(TSCPC). Intraocular pressure, visual acuity and complications were compared between two groups postoperatively.

RESULTS: The postoperative IOP was significantly lower in each group(P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences(P<0.05)between AGV implantation group and TSCPC group in IOP 1 week after surgery, but there were no statistically significant difference(P>0.05)in IOP 1 month after surgery. Visual acuity: in group A, the visual acuity was improved in 3 eyes, unchanged in 7 eyes and worsened in 2 eyes.; in group B, the visual acuity was improved in 3 eyes, unchanged in 12 eyes and worsened in 3 eyes. Postoperative complications: in group A, eyeball pain and corneal edema were found in 5 cases(41.7%), shallow anterior chamber in 3 cases(25%), anterior chamber fibroid exudation in 2 cases(16.7%), hyphema in 3 cases(25%); in group B, eyeball pain atearly stage after surgery were found in 10 cases(55.6% ), corneal edema in 11 cases(61.1%), anterior chamber fibroid exudation in 5 cases(27.8%), hyphema in 6 cases(33.3%).

CONCLUSION: AGV implantation and TSCPC are both effective surgical treatment methods for NVG. AGV implantation is a filtration surgery, which is relatively safe. TSCPC is more economical and suitable for glaucoma of advanced or absolute stage.