2025 CPT code 67710
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Eye and Ocular Adnexa Surgery Feed
Severing of tarsorrhaphy. This procedure involves removing stitches and scar tissue from eyelids previously sewn together, often done to protect the cornea.
Modifiers are allowed.Informational modifiers (e.g., E1-E4 for eyelid location, LT/RT for left/right side) can be used to provide additional detail, although these may not impact reimbursement.
Medical necessity is established by the underlying condition that initially required the tarsorrhaphy and the improvement of that condition to the point where the tarsorrhaphy is no longer necessary.Documentation should clearly support the medical reason for performing the procedure.
The physician prepares and anesthetizes the patient, then excises the stitches and scar tissue holding the eyelids together.They carefully separate any adhesions preventing normal eyelid opening and irrigate the site with sterile saline.
In simple words: This procedure removes the stitches and scar tissue from eyelids that were sewn together to protect the eye's surface. The doctor carefully separates the eyelids and cleans the area.
This procedure involves the removal of stitches and scar tissue from eyelids that were previously sutured together (tarsorrhaphy), typically performed to protect the cornea from irritation due to corneal disease or damage. The procedure involves excising the sutures and scar tissue, carefully separating any adhesions that prevent the eyelids from opening.The surgical site is then typically irrigated with sterile saline. Microsurgical techniques are often employed.
Example 1: A patient who previously had a tarsorrhaphy to protect their cornea during treatment for a corneal ulcer now requires the sutures and scar tissue to be removed as the ulcer has healed., A patient with neurotrophic keratopathy had a tarsorrhaphy performed, and now that the corneal condition has improved, the tarsorrhaphy needs to be severed., Following facial trauma, a patient's eyelids were temporarily sutured closed. Now that the initial trauma has resolved, the tarsorrhaphy must be released.
Documentation should include the original reason for the tarsorrhaphy, the current condition of the cornea and eyelids, the surgical technique used for severing the tarsorrhaphy, and any complications encountered.Pre- and post-operative photographs may be beneficial.
** Although code 69990 (Microsurgical techniques) should not be reported separately with 67710, the use of an operating microscope is considered an integral part of the procedure.
- Specialties:Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient Department, Physician's Office