Xiulan Zhang

About Xiulan Zhang

“The surgical management of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) has long been challenged by the high complication risks associated with traditional filtering surgeries. I have focused on fundamentally transforming this landscape by establishing non-device-based minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS), specifically goniotomy and phacogoniotomy, as a safer and more accessible standard of care, this approach is particularly transformative for democratizing access to treatment in low- and middle-income countries.

“In 2025, my team published two pivotal randomized controlled trials in JAMA Ophthalmology that redefined the clinical landscape. We demonstrated that phacogoniotomy (for advanced PACG with cataracts) and surgical iridectomy combined with goniosynechialysis and goniotomy (for cataract-free advanced PACG) achieved outcomes non-inferior to phacotrabeculectomy and trabeculectomy, respectively. These innovative techniques offer distinct clinical advantages over traditional filtration surgery, including shorter operative duration, lower complication rates, superior cost-effectiveness, and improved patient-reported quality of life.

“The global impact of this research has been profound. The American Glaucoma Society featured our findings in its 40th Anniversary Special Issue, recognizing it as a paradigm shift in the treatment of PACG (JAMA Ophthalmol,143, 470 [2025]; Asia Pac J Ophthalmol, 11, 497 [2022]). Furthermore, these surgical protocols have been incorporated into influential clinical guidelines, including the Chinese Angle-Closure Glaucoma Consensus (2025), the APGS/AAPPO Acute Primary Angle Closure Attack Consensus (2025), and the WGA Angle Closure and Angle Closure Glaucoma Consensus (2026).

“To translate this evidence into practice, I spearheaded a comprehensive training initiative across 34 provinces and regions. Through 237 live surgical demonstrations and 180 academic lectures, we provided hands-on training to over 6,000 ophthalmologists and reached 300,000 learners online. Consequently, these techniques have been adopted in over 100 hospitals in China and at least 15 other countries, benefiting more than 500,000 patients to date. My ongoing commitment is to ensure that this effective, vision-saving technology becomes a global standard.