Phaco capsulotomy: a technique to prevent the Argentinean Flag Sign

Abstract

The Argentinean Flag Sign is a complication that occurs during capsulorhexis construction, in which the capsulorhexis extends to the periphery due to lens intumescence. Phaco capsulotomy is a technique in which the phacoemulsification tip is used to simultaneously create the initial tear in the anterior capsule and remove a portion of the intumescent lens, thereby debulking and relieving pressure from the lens and capsule, and preventing the Argentinean Flag Sign. A detailed description of the phaco capsulotomy technique is provided, including applications and potential complications.

Keywords:

• phaco capsulotomy
• Argentinean Flag Sign
• intumescent cataracts

Acknowledgments

This work has been supported in part by an unrestricted/challenge award to Yale Eye Center from the Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), Inc.

Disclosure

The author reports no conflicts of interest in this work.