ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) for refractory glaucoma. MethodsTwenty-eight patients (30 eyes) diagnosed with refractory glaucoma were enrolled in this study. The intraocular pressure was ranged from 28 to 55 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), with the mean of (46.3±10.3) mmHg. There were 24 eyes with initial visual acuity <0.05, 1 eye with 0.05-0.08 initial visual acuity and 5 eyes with ≥0.1 initial visual acuity. The mean number of intraocular pressure-decreased drugs was 4. All the eyes underwent PPV combined with ECP. The cyclophotocoagulation ranged from 90°-360°, with the mean of (232.5±77.6)°. The cyclophotocoagulation was <180° in 4 eyes, 180°-270° in 6 eyes, >270° in 20 eyes. The follow-up ranged from 12 to 20 months, with the mean of 15.2 months. The intraocular pressure, vision and the mean number of intraocular pressure-decreased drugs before and after surgery were comparatively observed. The relationship between cyclophotocoagulation area and postoperative intraocular pressure was analyzed. ResultsAt the final follow-up, the intraocular pressure ranged from 12 to 36 mmHg, with the mean of (18.5±4.4) mmHg, which decreased 49.4% compared with preoperative intraocular pressure (t=15.537, P<0.01). Among 30 eyes, the intraocular pressure was ≤21 mmHg without any intraocular pressure-decreased drugs in 24 eyes (80.0%), 1 eye (3.3%) with ≤21 mmHg who treatment by local intraocular pressure-decreased drugs, lose control of intraocular pressure in 5 eyes (16.7%). The vision was <0.05 in 15 eyes, 0.05-0.08 in 3 eyes and ≥0.1 in 12 eyes. The difference of vision distribution before and after surgery was not significant (χ2=6.197, P>0.05). Compared with preoperative vision, the postoperative vision was improved in 8 eyes (26.7%), stabled in 15 eyes (50.0%), decreased in 7 eyes (23.3%). The mean number of intraocular pressure-decreased drugs was reduced from 4 to 1 (t=8.402, P<0.01).The cyclophotocoagulation area was positive related to postoperative intraocular pressure (r=4.160, P<0.05). There were no ocular and systemic complications during and after surgery except slight inflammation. ConclusionPPV combined with ECP for refractory glaucoma can reduce intraocular pressure, stabilize or improve the visual acuity.