AIM: To compare the curative effects of two surgical treatment methods for open angle glaucoma and cataract patients.

METHODS: Totally 69 patients with primary open angle glaucoma and cataract were divided into two groups: group A and group B. Thirty-four patients(34 eyes)in group A underwent small incision non-phacoemulsification cataract surgery combined with trabeculectomy, just combined operations, 35 patients(35 eyes)in group B underwent small incision non-phacoemulsification cataract surgery beyond 6mo after trabeculectomy, just two stage operations. Postoperative intraocular pressure at 1wk and 3mo, postoperative corrected visual acuity and filtering bleb at 3mo were observed, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were compared. All the patients were followed up for 3-6mo.

RESULTS: All the visual acuity were increased compared with that before surgery in two groups, the difference was not statistically significant. All the intraocular pressure was controlled in two groups, the difference was not statistically significant, and the difference about the filtering bleb was neither statistically significant(P>0.05). There were no serious intraoperative and postoperative complications in two groups.

CONCLUSION: The two stage operations and the combined operations both can control theintraocular pressure and improved visual acuity of open angle glaucoma and cataract. The two stage operations may prevent a second operation for post trabeculectomy cataract, allowing earlier visual rehabilitation.