2025 CPT code 65771
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Eye and Ocular Adnexa Feed
Radial keratotomy.
Modifiers applicable. LT (Left side) and RT (Right side) are used to specify which eye underwent the radial keratotomy. -50 for bilateral procedures. -52 for Reduced Services. -53 Discontinued Procedure. -59 for Distinct Procedural Service. -76, -77, -79 for repeat procedures by same or different physicians. -99 Multiple Modifiers.
Medical necessity must be carefully documented as it's often considered an elective procedure, and many insurance plans may not provide coverage. Justification may include the impact of myopia on daily activities and the ineffectiveness of non-surgical methods.
In simple words: This procedure corrects nearsightedness by making small cuts in the cornea to flatten its shape.
The provider makes small cuts in the cornea, which flattens the cornea and reduces myopia. When the patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized, the provider uses an eyelid speculum to hold the patient’s affected eye open. He then makes several small incisions in the anterior surface of the central cornea. He either incises from the center of the cornea to the edges or to the edges to the center, which changes the cornea’s shape. The provider applies antibiotic ointment and an eye patch.
Example 1: A 25-year-old patient with persistent myopia desires a surgical correction and undergoes radial keratotomy., A 30-year-old individual with high myopia not amenable to other corrective measures undergoes radial keratotomy after thorough evaluation., A teenager with progressive myopia and intolerance to contact lenses considers radial keratotomy.
Preoperative eye exam, refraction measurements, informed consent, surgical report, and post-operative care instructions.
** Medicare generally does not cover radial keratotomy due to its classification as an elective cosmetic procedure.
- Specialties:Ophthalmology
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center