Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of non-penetrating trabecular surgery (NPTS) with mitomycin C (MMC) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: Twenty-five eyes of 18 patients with POAG underwent NPTS with MMC during the operation. The mean follow-up was 16.6 months (6 - 28 months).

Results: The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was (27.93 +/- 7.62) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) which decreased to a mean postoperative IOP of (14.62 +/- 3.53) mm Hg (P < 0.001). After operation, there was an obvious diffuse bleb in each eye, in the 3 months after operation, there were functional blebs in 21 eyes, and the successful filtration was ceased in 4 eyes. The anterior chamber reaction was mild. Hyphema occurred in 1 eye after operation. Intra-operatively, in 4 eyes microperforations occurred in the trabecular meshwork without iris prolapse, and after operation, under the gonioscope, the perforation could be observed in these eyes. In another 2 eyes, there was no intra-operative perforation, but a small fissure was seen by gonioscopy.

Conclusions: NPTS with application of MMC can lower the IOP effectively in this group of patients. The recovery of vision after operation is quick. A few complications occurred after operation. It is a promising technique to treat POAG.