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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); corneovitreal adhesions

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 65880 refers to a surgical procedure aimed at severing adhesions located in the anterior segment of the eye, specifically corneovitreal adhesions. This procedure employs an incisional technique, which may involve the injection of air or liquid to assist in stabilizing the intraocular pressure during the operation. Corneovitreal adhesions are pathological connections between the cornea and the vitreous body, which can lead to complications in the eye, including impaired vision and increased intraocular pressure. The procedure is classified as a separate procedure, indicating that it is performed independently and is not part of a more comprehensive surgical intervention. The technique used in this procedure is similar to other related procedures, such as those for goniosynechiae and posterior synechiae, which involve the severing of adhesions in different areas of the anterior segment. The use of a needle or knife blade is critical in this process to effectively sever the adhesive tissue, thereby restoring normal anatomical relationships within the eye. The potential injection of air or liquid serves to maintain the stability of the eye's internal environment, particularly if there is a loss of aqueous fluid during the procedure.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 65880 is indicated for the treatment of corneovitreal adhesions, which are abnormal connections between the cornea and the vitreous body within the anterior segment of the eye. These adhesions can lead to various complications, including visual impairment and increased intraocular pressure. The procedure may be performed in cases where these adhesions are causing significant clinical symptoms or are associated with other ocular conditions that necessitate intervention.

  • Corneovitreal Adhesions Abnormal connections between the cornea and vitreous matter that can impair vision and intraocular pressure.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 65880 involves several critical steps to effectively sever the corneovitreal adhesions. First, the patient is positioned appropriately to allow optimal access to the anterior segment of the eye. Anesthesia is administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. Following this, an incision is made in the cornea using a precise surgical instrument, such as a knife blade or needle. This incision allows the surgeon to access the adhesive tissue. The surgeon then carefully uses the needle or knife blade to sever the adhesive connections between the cornea and the vitreous body. This step is crucial as it restores the normal anatomical relationship and function of the eye. If necessary, air or liquid may be injected into the eye during the procedure to stabilize the intraocular pressure, particularly if there is a risk of aqueous fluid loss. This injection helps maintain the eye's internal environment and prevents complications that could arise from pressure fluctuations. The procedure is concluded with careful monitoring of the eye to ensure that the adhesions have been adequately severed and that the eye is stable.

  • Step 1: Position the patient and administer anesthesia for comfort during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Make an incision in the cornea using a surgical instrument to access the adhesive tissue.
  • Step 3: Use a needle or knife blade to sever the adhesive connections between the cornea and vitreous body.
  • Step 4: Inject air or liquid if necessary to stabilize intraocular pressure during the procedure.
  • Step 5: Monitor the eye to ensure proper severance of adhesions and stability of the eye.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure coded by CPT® 65880, the patient will require careful monitoring to assess the success of the adhesion severance and to ensure that there are no immediate complications. Post-procedure care may include the administration of topical medications, such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatory agents, to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. Patients are typically advised to avoid strenuous activities and to follow up with their ophthalmologist for further evaluation and management. The expected recovery time may vary depending on the individual patient's condition and the extent of the procedure performed. Regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor the healing process and to address any potential complications that may arise following the surgery.

Short Descr INCISE INNER EYE ADHESIONS
Medium Descr SEVERING ADS ANT SEG INCAL SPX CORNEOVITREAL
Long Descr Severing adhesions of anterior segment of eye, incisional technique (with or without injection of air or liquid) (separate procedure); corneovitreal adhesions
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) 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 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
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.)
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.)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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