AIM: To assess the efficacy of non-penetrating trabecular surgery versus trabeculectomy for lowering the intraocular pressures(IOP)of patients with open angle glaucoma.

METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed(1966 to 2013), Embase(1980 to 2013)and CBMdisc(1979 to 2013)for the randomized clinical trials of non-penetrating trabecular surgery and trabeculectomy. We also screened relevant journals and references to evaluate the quality of the literatures. The Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 4.2 software was used for Meta analysis.

RESULTS: Ten RCTs with previously untreated open angle glaucoma were included. Seven results showed that compared with non-penetrating trabecular surgery, trabeculectomy can better improve the level of postoperative IOP reduction and the success rate of surgery. But eight results showed that compared with trabeculectomy, non-penetrating trabecular surgery can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION: Compared with non-penetrating trabecular surgery, trabeculectomy can better improve the level of postoperative IOP reduction and the success rate of surgery. But non-penetrating trabecular surgery can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications of surgery.