AIM:To compare the therapeutic effects of different incision phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation combined with trabeculectomy in treating angle-closure glaucoma complicated with cataract.

METHODS: The retrospective study analyzed 70 patients(98 eyes)who performed phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation combined with trabeculectomy. Single incision surgery(one-site approach)was performed on 34 patients(50 eyes), and double incision surgery(two-site approaches)was done on 36 patients(48 eyes). The differences of intraocular pressure control,filtering bleb, the density and preservation of corneal endothelium cells both pre-surgery and 1 month post-surgery or later complication. in the two groups were compared and analyzed.Follow-up was 12-24 months with a mean of 18.2 months.

RESULTS: The average postoperative intraocular pressure in one-site groups was(10.16±4.31)mmHg. The average postoperative intraocular pressure in two-site groups was(11.38±3.55)mmHg. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups(P>0.05)regarding the postoperative intraocular pressure and the formation of filtering blebs(P>0.05). The density and area of corneal endothelium cells in the two-incision group pre-operation were comparable(P>0.05). However, in 1 month post-operation, the rate of the corneal endothelial cells loss in double incision group was superior compared to the single incision group(P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Both single incision and double incision approach phacotrabeculectomy are effective in reducing intraocular pressure and can maintain the function of filtering blebs well. There are no statistically significant differences in the intraocular pressure reduction between the two approaches. The double incision approach is superior in minimizing the corneal endothelial cells loss compared to the single incision approach.