AIM:To explore the effects of EX-PRESS glaucoma drainage device implantation and trabectome on visual acuity, intraocular pressure, central anterior chamber depth(ACD)and postoperative complications in patients with primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)complicated with cataract.

METHODS: The clinical data of 64 patients(64 eyes)with POAG complicated with cataract in our hospital from March 2015 to January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 34 patients(34 eyes)were given EX-PRESS glaucoma drainage device implantation and cataract phacoemulsification(the Group A)and another 30 cases(30 eyes)were given trabectome combined with cataract phacoemulsification(the Group B). The visual acuity \〖best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)\〗, intraocular pressure, ACD and the thickness of macular ganglion cell complex(GCC)were compared between the two groups before operation and at 5mo after operation, and the differences of postoperative complications were also recorded between the two groups.

RESULTS: At 5mo after operation, the BCVA, intraocular pressure(IOP)was lower than that before operation(t _{Group A}=39.359, 21.045; t _{Group B}=23.126, 16.863; P<0.01), and the Group A was lower than that in the Group B(t=9.452, 2.761; P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the ACD level before and after operation between-groups and within-groups(P>0.05). At 5mo after operation, there was no significant difference in the thickness of macular GCC in the Group A compared with that before operation(P>0.05), but the thickness of macular GCC in the Group B was lower than that before operation(t=3.851, P<0.05)and was lower than that in the Group A(t=2.269, P<0.05). The incidence rate of postoperative complications in the Group A was significantly lower than that in the Group B(χ²=7.883, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: EX-PRESS glaucoma drainage device implantation or trabectome combined with cataract phacoemulsification can receive good treatment effects in treating POAG patients with cataract, but the former one has better effects on reducing IOP and improving visual acuity than those in the latter one. And EX-PRESS glaucoma drainage device implantation can reduce the incidence rate of postoperative complications, and it is also beneficial to the reduction of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)damage and the disease prognosis.