Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 65430 involves the scraping of the cornea for diagnostic purposes, specifically to obtain samples for smear and/or culture. This procedure is typically performed in an ophthalmology setting where the eye is carefully examined using specialized equipment such as a slit lamp, magnifiers, loupe, or an operating microscope. To ensure patient comfort and minimize discomfort during the procedure, eye drops are administered to numb the eye. The scraping itself is conducted using a sterile Kimura spatula or a surgical blade, which allows for precise collection of tissue samples. If the scraping is performed on a corneal lesion, it is important to obtain samples from both the base and the sides of the lesion to ensure a comprehensive analysis. The collected tissue samples are then applied to one or more prepared glass slides, which are essential for subsequent microscopic examination. This diagnostic procedure is crucial for identifying potential infections, corneal diseases, or other pathological conditions affecting the cornea.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The scraping of the cornea, as described by CPT® Code 65430, is indicated for various conditions that may affect the cornea. The following are explicitly provided indications for this procedure:
The procedure for scraping the cornea involves several critical steps to ensure accurate diagnosis and patient safety. The following procedural steps are outlined:
After the corneal scraping procedure, patients may experience some temporary discomfort or irritation in the eye. It is important to monitor for any signs of complications, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Patients are typically advised to avoid rubbing their eyes and may be prescribed antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to review the results of the microscopic examination and to assess the healing process of the cornea. Proper post-procedure care is essential to ensure optimal recovery and to address any underlying conditions identified during the scraping.
| Short Descr | CORNEAL SMEAR | Medium Descr | CORNEA SCRAPING DIAGNOSTIC SMEAR &/CULTURE | Long Descr | Scraping of cornea, diagnostic, for smear and/or culture | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 18 - Diagnostic procedures on eye |
| RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | E4 | Lower right, eyelid | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Medium description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.