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Official Description

Severing adhesions of anterior segment of eye, incisional technique (with or without injection of air or liquid) (separate procedure); posterior synechiae

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 65875 involves the severing of adhesions located in the anterior segment of the eye, specifically targeting posterior synechiae. Posterior synechiae refer to the adhesions that form between the iris and the lens capsule, which can lead to complications such as increased intraocular pressure and potential vision loss. The incisional technique utilized in this procedure may involve the injection of air or liquid to help stabilize the intraocular pressure, particularly if there is a loss of aqueous fluid during the operation. This procedure is categorized as a separate procedure, indicating that it is performed independently and is not part of a more comprehensive surgical intervention. The technique is critical in managing conditions associated with these adhesions, ensuring that the normal anatomical relationships within the eye are restored, thereby improving the patient's visual function and overall ocular health.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 65875 is indicated for the treatment of posterior synechiae, which are adhesions between the iris and the lens capsule. These adhesions can lead to various complications, including increased intraocular pressure and potential vision impairment. The procedure is typically performed when these adhesions are causing significant clinical issues, such as angle closure glaucoma or other conditions that may affect the anterior segment of the eye.

  • Posterior Synechiae Adhesions between the iris and lens capsule that may lead to complications such as increased intraocular pressure.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 65875 involves several critical steps to effectively sever the posterior synechiae. First, the surgeon prepares the eye for surgery, ensuring that the patient is adequately anesthetized and positioned for optimal access to the anterior segment. Next, an incision is made in the cornea, which allows the surgeon to access the area where the adhesions are located. Using a specialized instrument, such as a needle or knife blade, the surgeon carefully dissects the adhesive tissue that connects the iris to the lens capsule. This step is crucial as it aims to restore the normal anatomical relationship between these structures. Depending on the specific circumstances of the procedure, the surgeon may also inject air or liquid into the eye to stabilize the intraocular pressure, particularly if there is a risk of aqueous fluid loss during the severing of the adhesions. This technique not only aids in the immediate surgical process but also helps to maintain the integrity of the eye's internal environment during and after the procedure.

  • Step 1: Prepare the eye for surgery, ensuring proper anesthesia and positioning.
  • Step 2: Make an incision in the cornea to access the posterior synechiae.
  • Step 3: Use a needle or knife blade to sever the adhesive tissue connecting the iris to the lens capsule.
  • Step 4: Inject air or liquid if necessary to stabilize intraocular pressure during the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure coded by CPT® 65875, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or changes in intraocular pressure. Post-operative care may include the use of topical medications, such as anti-inflammatory drops, to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Patients are advised to follow up with their ophthalmologist to assess the success of the procedure and to monitor for any recurrence of adhesions or other complications. Recovery time may vary depending on the individual patient's condition and the extent of the procedure performed, but most patients can expect to resume normal activities within a short period, provided there are no complications.

Short Descr INCISE INNER EYE ADHESIONS
Medium Descr SEVERING ADS ANT SEG INCAL SPX POST SYNECHIAE
Long Descr Severing adhesions of anterior segment of eye, incisional technique (with or without injection of air or liquid) (separate procedure); posterior synechiae
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
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) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P4E - Eye procedure - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 20 - Other intraocular therapeutic procedures

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

66990 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Use of ophthalmic endoscope (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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.
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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.)
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).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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