AIM: To observe and analyze the change of visual field and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness of primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG)after the Ex-press glaucoma shunt implantation.

METHODS: A total of 14 patients(24 eyes)with POAG were underwent Ex-press glaucoma shunt implantation. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure(IOP), mean defect(MD), pattern standard deviation(PSD), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFLT), and corneal endothelial cell number were collected preoperatively. Visual acuity and IOP were collected in 1wk, 1 and 3mo postoperatively respectively. Also, MD, PSD, RNFLT, and corneal endothelial cell number were collected preoperatively and 3mo postoperatively respectively. Complication, the additional treatment, success rate were analyzed.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference(P>0.05)in visual acuity preoperative and postoperative 1wk, 1, 3mo. Visual acuity did not significantly reduce after operation. Compared with preoperative, there was significant decreased(P<0.05)in IOP after 1wk, 1, 3mo postoperative, respectively. IOP keep stead in postoperative 3mo. The reduction of RNFLT had significant difference(P<0.05)between preoperative and postoperative 3mo. Compared with preoperation, MD and PSD had no significant difference(P>0.05)after postoperative 3mo. Corneal endothelial cell number decrease had significant difference(Z=-2.585, P=0.01)between preoperative and postoperative 3mo. Success rate: complete success: 79.2%(19 eyes); partial success: 8.3%(2 eyes); failure: 12.5%(3 eyes).

CONCLUSION: Ex-press glaucoma shunt implantation could efficiently decrease the IOP in POAG patients. Although it results in reduction of RNFLT in short time. The visual acuity and visual field keep stable after operation. It is a safe and effective device for treating primary open-angle glaucoma.