To evaluate the surgical outcome of combined phacoemulsification, posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, and trabeculectomy (phacotrabeculectomy) in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) or primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).The records of 57 consecutive patients (65 eyes) with PACG or POAG that were treated with phacotrabeculectomy were reviewed retrospectively. There were 31 eyes with PACG and 34 with POAG. The mean follow-up period was 21.0 +/- 8.3 months. The visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), number of medications, and complications were evaluated.The mean IOP and the number of glaucoma medications decreased significantly after phacotrabeculectomy in both groups. The mean IOP reduction was significantly greater in eyes with PACG (P < 0.05). The absolute success rates were 87.1% and 70.6% in PACG and POAG, respectively. The difference in the success rates was not significant (P = 0.297). The early postoperative complication rates were similar in both groups.Phacotrabeculectomy results in greater IOP reduction in eyes with PACG than in those with POAG, but the overall success rates were not significantly different.