AIM: To explore the clinical effect of phacoemulsification combined with Ex-PRESS implantation in the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma with cataract.

METHODS: The 51 patients(63 eyes)with primary open angle glaucoma with cataract were divided into 2 groups according to a prospective research programme. Twenty-five cases(32 eyes)were treated by phacoemulsification combined with trabeculectomy in the contol group, and 26 cases(31 eyes)were treated by phacoemulsification combined with Ex-PRESS implantation in the observation group. The clinical effect, level of vision improvement, and result of controlling intraocular pressure were compared, at the same time, the follow-up of 3～6mo was completed to observe the occurrence of complications.

RESULTS: The treatment method and detecting time were both showed the influence on the intraocular pressure of patients(P<0.01), and there was no interactional effect between two factors(P>0.05). At 3mo after treatment, there was no significant difference for best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)between groups(P>0.05), but the clinical efficacy of the observation group was better than that of the control group. The complication rate of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, and there was significant difference between two groups(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification combined with Ex-PRESS implantation has high curative effect and security in the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma with cataract.