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Official Description

Repair of blepharoptosis; frontalis muscle technique with suture or other material (eg, banked fascia)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 67901 involves the surgical repair of blepharoptosis, which refers to the drooping or sagging of the upper eyelid. This condition is typically caused by weakness in the levator palpebrae muscle, which is responsible for elevating the eyelid. The repair is performed using the frontalis muscle technique, which utilizes suture or other materials, such as banked fascia or a Silastic rod, to achieve the desired eyelid position. During the procedure, a protective shield is placed over the cornea to prevent any damage during surgery. The surgeon makes a skin incision just above the central portion of the eyebrow, allowing access to the underlying structures. Additionally, three small subcutaneous incisions are created in the upper eyelid in the pretarsal region, strategically located below the lid crease to facilitate the surgical technique. The procedure involves passing a needle through the incision above the eyebrow and into the eyelid, where the suture material or other materials are threaded to secure the eyelid in its proper position. This technique aims to restore normal eyelid function and appearance, ultimately improving the patient's vision and aesthetic concerns associated with blepharoptosis.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for the surgical correction of blepharoptosis, which may present with the following conditions:

  • Drooping Eyelid The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of a sagging upper eyelid that can obstruct vision or cause cosmetic concerns.
  • Weakness of the Levator Muscle The procedure is performed when there is a documented weakness in the levator palpebrae muscle, which is responsible for elevating the eyelid.
  • Functional Impairment Patients who experience functional impairment due to the drooping eyelid, such as difficulty seeing or performing daily activities, may also be candidates for this repair.

2. Procedure

The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 67901 involves several detailed steps to effectively repair blepharoptosis:

  • Preparation and Anesthesia The patient is positioned appropriately, and a shield is placed over the cornea to protect it during the procedure. Local anesthesia is administered to ensure patient comfort throughout the surgery.
  • Incision Above the Eyebrow A skin incision is made just above the central portion of the eyebrow, providing access to the underlying frontalis muscle and the eyelid structures.
  • Subcutaneous Incisions in the Eyelid Three small subcutaneous incisions are created in the upper eyelid in the pretarsal region, located medially, centrally, and laterally below the lid crease. These incisions allow for the passage of suture material or other materials used in the repair.
  • Needle Passage A needle is passed through the incision above the eyebrow, navigating between the orbicularis and levator muscles, and then through the medial eyelid incision. This step is crucial for anchoring the repair material.
  • Threading the Repair Material A length of Silastic rod or banked fascia is threaded through the needle and retrieved through the incision above the eyebrow. This material will be used to support the eyelid in its elevated position.
  • Securing the Material The suture material, rod, or banked fascia is threaded horizontally across the tarsus, exiting at the previously made below crease incision in the central aspect of the eyelid. It is then passed through the lateral eyelid incision, ensuring proper alignment and support.
  • Intratarsal Bites The suture, rod, or banked fascia is secured by taking an intratarsal bite along each of the three below crease incisions, anchoring the material to the eyelid for stability.
  • Retrieving the Material A needle is passed through the incision above the eyebrow again, retrieving the suture, rod, or banked fascia at the lateral aspect of the tarsus to finalize the anchoring process.
  • Adjusting Tension If a Silastic rod is used, a Silastic sleeve is placed over the incision above the eyebrow, and the rod is passed through the sleeve. The tension of the suture, rod, or banked fascia is adjusted to achieve the desired eyelid elevation.
  • Securing the Repair The suture, banked fascia, or rod and sleeve are secured to the deep frontalis muscle, ensuring that the eyelid remains in the correct position post-surgery.
  • Closure of Incisions Finally, the skin incisions are closed, completing the surgical repair of blepharoptosis.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications. Post-operative care may include instructions for keeping the surgical area clean and dry, managing any discomfort with prescribed medications, and avoiding strenuous activities that could strain the eyelid. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and ensure that the eyelid is positioned correctly. Patients may also be advised on the use of cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising in the initial recovery phase. It is important for patients to adhere to the surgeon's post-operative guidelines to promote optimal healing and achieve the best possible outcome from the surgery.

Short Descr REPAIR EYELID DEFECT
Medium Descr RPR BLEPHAROPTOSIS FRONTALIS MUSC SUTR/OTH MATRL
Long Descr Repair of blepharoptosis; frontalis muscle technique with suture or other material (eg, banked fascia)
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 19 - Other therapeutic procedures on eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea
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).
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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).
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 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.)
E1 Upper left, eyelid
E3 Upper right, eyelid
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
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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
Date
Action
Notes
2006-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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