%0 Journal Article
%T Achieving successful capsulorhexis in intumescent white mature cataracts to prevent Argentinian flag sign - A new multifaceted approach to meet the challenge.
%A Balyan M
%A Jain AK
%A Malhotra C
%A Ram J
%A Dhingra D
%J Indian J Ophthalmol
%V 69
%N 6
%D 06 2021
%M 34011708
%F 2.969
%R 10.4103/ijo.IJO_1903_20
%X To present a case series of intumescent white cataract cases managed by a new surgical technique to attain a single stage Continuous Curvilinear Capsulorhexis (CCC).
The series included 60 eyes of 60 patients with white cataract which underwent preoperative anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and ultrasonographic A-scan for intralenticular spikes. A partial size main port (~1.8mm) is created as the first entry into the anterior chamber (AC). A 30-gauge needle of insulin syringe entered through a limbal stab incision is used to decompress the anterior and posterior intralenticular compartments. Following which a standard size, one stage capsulorhexis was performed in a trypan blue stained capsule using microcapsulorhexis forceps entered through the partial sized trapezoidal main port. The main port was secondarily enlarged for phacoemulsification.
Based on the intraoperative findings, 43 eyes were categorized as Intumescent type-1 cataracts i.e., with presence of actual liquefied cortex aspirated using 30-gauge needle and 17 eyes as Intumescent type-2 cataracts, i.e., presence of swollen lens without any obvious liquefied cortex. Standard size, circular and centred CCC was achieved in 100% of the cases and no Argentinean flag sign was noted. Surgeon perceived raised intralenticular pressure in 41% of the cases in type-1 subset and 61% cases in type-2 subset (P-0.06). Posterior capsular plaque was observed in 22% of the cases, adherent cortex in 25% and anterior capsular plaque in 5% of the cases. At 6weeks follow up 92% patients had best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better.
A multi-layered approach can help in attaining successful CCC in cases of white mature cataract with high intralenticular pressure.