Brazilian technique for prevention of the Argentinean flag sign in white cataract

Abstract

We describe a technique that prevents the Argentinean flag sign in white cataract. The technique is based on the intumescent cataract having 2 rather than 1 pressurized compartments within the crystalline lens, the anterior and the posterior. The pressure that pushes the nucleus upward, which is the movement responsible for a radial tear of the anterior capsule, does not come from the vitreous but from the posterior intralenticular pressurized compartment. We also present a nomenclature system to help the phacoemulsification surgeon distinguish the 3 types of senile white cataracts and prevent intrasurgical complications peculiar to each one.