2025 CPT code 65435
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Eye and Ocular Adnexa Surgery Feed
Removal of corneal epithelium; with or without chemocauterization (abrasion, curettage).
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure, such as 51 (multiple procedures), 52 (reduced services), 59 (distinct procedural service), and others.Consult the CPT manual for specific modifier guidelines.
Medical necessity for 65435 is established when a patient presents with corneal conditions requiring removal of damaged or diseased epithelium to facilitate healing and improve vision. Specific conditions include corneal abrasions, recurrent corneal erosions, and superficial corneal ulcers.
The ophthalmologist or other qualified healthcare professional performs the procedure after appropriate patient preparation and anesthesia. This includes the careful separation and removal of the corneal epithelium using specialized instruments, and the potential use of chemocauterization.
In simple words: The doctor removes a damaged outer layer of the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) using scraping or a special tool.Sometimes, a chemical is used to treat the remaining area.
This procedure involves the removal of the corneal epithelium using abrasion or curettage.Chemocauterization may or may not be performed as part of the procedure. The primary purpose is to remove an injured or damaged epithelial layer from the cornea.The procedure begins with preparing and anesthetizing the patient. The provider then carefully separates the corneal epithelium from its surrounding structures and uses a curette to scrape the epithelial layer from the anterior limiting lamina (Bowman's layer) of the cornea.A chemical substance may be applied via cautery to destroy any remaining viable underlying tissue.
Example 1: A patient presents with a corneal abrasion caused by a foreign body.The provider performs a superficial keratectomy (65435) to remove the damaged epithelium and promote healing., A patient has recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. The provider performs a superficial keratectomy (65435) with chemocauterization to remove the damaged epithelium and decrease the recurrence rate., A patient presents with a superficial corneal ulcer.Removal of the infected epithelium (65435) is performed to facilitate healing and prevent further damage.
* Detailed history and physical examination noting the indication for the procedure.* Documentation of the technique used (abrasion or curettage).* Specification of whether chemocauterization was performed.* Description of the extent of tissue removed.* Postoperative instructions and follow-up plan.* Any complications encountered during or after the procedure.
** This code is frequently used in ophthalmology to treat corneal pathology.Always refer to the most current CPT manual for accurate coding and reimbursement guidelines. Reimbursement may vary depending on the payer and geographic location.
- Revenue Code: P6C (MINOR PROCEDURES - OTHER)
- RVU: This information is not provided in the source data and would need to be obtained from other sources, such as Medicare fee schedules or other payer-specific information. RVUs vary by geographic location and Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).
- Global Days: The global period for this procedure is not specified in the provided data.Further investigation is needed to determine if a global surgical period applies.
- Payment Status: Active, but reimbursement varies by location and payer.
- Modifier TC rule: A technical component (TC) modifier may be applicable in certain situations depending on the billing entity and the involved physician's role.Refer to the CPT manual and your specific payer's guidelines for clarification.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule data is not included in the source, but this information can be found via Medicare fee schedules or other payer-specific resources.Reimbursement varies significantly by location and MAC.
- Specialties:Ophthalmology
- Place of Service:Office, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Outpatient Hospital