AIM: To evaluate the long-term effects of laser peripheral iridectomy(LPI)and trabeculectomy in treating early chronic angle-closure glaucoma.

METHODS: Ninety-eight patients(102 eyes)with early chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma were randomly divided into two groups. Group A of 50 patients(54 eyes)was treated with LPI and group B of 48 patients(48 eyes)with trabeculectomy. After 3-8y of follow-up observation, comparison would be made from the perspectives of postoperative eyesight, intraocular pressure, anterior chamber angle, visual field and cup/disc ratio(C/D).

RESULTS: In group A, 24 eyes with eyesight declining, 22 eyes with theintraocular pressure >21mmHg(1mmHg=0.133kPa), 21 eyes with chamber angle synechia >180°, 21 eyes with visual field narrowed, 21 eyes with C/D ratio enlarged. The results of group B for the same items were 10, 5, 4, 4, 4 eyes respectively. The comparative difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Good effects will be achieved for early-stage chronic angle-closure glaucoma with surgical method.Trabeculectomy is obviously better than LPI for the long-term effects.