AIM:To investigate clinical effects of anterior chamber penetration on treating the glaucoma with continuous high intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS: Eighty cases (80 eyes) of primary acute angle-closure glaucoma were divided into two groups by the different methods of treatment, anterior chamber penetration group: 40 cases (40 eyes) and control group: 40 cases (40 eyes). All the cases had IOP≥50mmHg before treatment. Before and after the treatment, routine examinations such as best spectacle corrected visual acuity(BSCVA),IOP were performed, the changes in anterior chamber angle and the complications of the surgery were observed and analyzed by SPSS statistically.RESULTS: Most cases gained a better vision after the treatment. The IOP of both groups were reduced, and the anterior chamber penetration group was lower than the control group. In gonioscopy examination, the higher ratio of the anterior chamber angle reopening was found in the anterior chamber penetration group. After the filtrating surgery, there were no complications in the anterior chamber penetration group. In the control group, malignant glaucoma were observed in 1 case, cyclodialysis was observed in 3 cases and shallow of anterior chamber was observed in 4 cases.CONCLUSION: Anterior chamber penetration is one kind of safe, effective and simple method of treating the glaucoma with continuous high IOP. It can reduce the damage to visual function caused by the high IOP and provide the good condition before the surgery. 