Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of phacoemulsification (Phaco) combined with goniosynechialysis and phacoemulsification combined with trabeculectomy in the treatment of acute primary angle-closure glaucoma (APACG) complicated with cataract. Methods The clinical data of 200 patients with APACG complicated with cataract treated in our hospital from January 2022 to January 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. According to surgical procedures, the patients were divided into trabeculectomy group (Phaco combined with trabeculectomy) and goniosynechialysis group (Phaco combined with goniosynechialysis), with 100 patients (200 eyes) in each group. Intraocular pressure, visual acuity [best corrected visual acuity (BCVA)], central anterior chamber depth, optic disc vessel density [whole-image optic disc vessel density (wiVD), disc-inside vessel density (diVD)], quality of life [25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25)] and complications were compared between the two groups. Results At 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery, the goniosynechialysis group had lower intraocular pressure, better BCVA, deeper central anterior chamber depth, and higher wiVD and diVD than the trabeculectomy group (P<0.05). One month postoperatively, the NEI-VFQ-25 score of the goniosynechialysis group was significantly higher than that of the trabeculectomy group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed between the two groups at 3 months after surgery (P>0.05). The overall incidence of complications in the goniosynechialysis group was 6.50%, which was lower than 13.00% in the trabeculectomy group (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with phacoemulsification combined with trabeculectomy, phacoemulsification combined with goniosynechialysis can effectively control intraocular pressure, increase anterior chamber depth, improve optic disc blood circulation, restore visual acuity, enhance quality of life and reduce the incidence of complications in patients with APACG complicated with cataract.