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The ciliary body is an essential structure located just behind the iris of the eye. It plays a crucial role in two primary functions: the production of aqueous humor, which is the clear fluid filling the anterior chamber of the eye, and accommodation, which is the process that allows the crystalline lens to change shape for focusing on objects at varying distances. The procedure described by CPT® Code 66720 involves the destruction of the ciliary body, primarily indicated for the treatment of glaucoma that has not responded adequately to medication or other less invasive surgical interventions. By partially destroying the ciliary body, the inflow of aqueous humor into the anterior chamber is reduced, leading to a decrease in intraocular pressure, which is critical in managing glaucoma. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, where a lid speculum is utilized to keep the eyelids open, allowing access to the ciliary body. Cryotherapy is employed as the method of destruction, using a cryoprobe to rapidly freeze specific portions of the ciliary body tissue. This freezing is followed by a slow thawing process, and the freeze-thaw cycle is repeated until the desired amount of tissue destruction is achieved, effectively addressing the condition of glaucoma.
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The procedure described by CPT® Code 66720 is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for ciliary body destruction via cryotherapy involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment.
Post-procedure care following ciliary body destruction via cryotherapy typically involves monitoring the patient for any immediate complications or adverse reactions. Patients may be advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a specified period. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the effectiveness of the procedure in managing intraocular pressure and to monitor for any potential side effects or complications that may arise. Additionally, patients may be prescribed medications to manage pain or inflammation as needed during the recovery phase.
| Short Descr | DESTRUCTION CILIARY BODY | Medium Descr | CILIARY BODY DESTRUCTION CRYOTHERAPY | Long Descr | Ciliary body destruction; cryotherapy | 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 | 14 - Glaucoma procedures |
| 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). | 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.) | 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.) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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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| 2017-01-01 | Changed | Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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