Coding Ahead
CasePilot
Medical Coding Assistant
CaseConsultant
Instant Email Coding Consultant
Case2Code
Search and Code Lookup Tool
CareerCenter
Medical Coding Job Board
Log in Register free account

Need help choosing the right code?

Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.

Try CasePilot

Official Description

Repair of blepharoptosis; (tarso) levator resection or advancement, external approach

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 67904 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 surgical approach utilized in this procedure is an external method, specifically through tarso levator resection or advancement. During the operation, a local anesthetic is administered to the upper eyelid to ensure patient comfort. The surgeon carefully measures the eyelid to determine the precise amount of tissue that needs to be resected or advanced to achieve the desired eyelid position. The external approach involves making an incision in the skin of the upper eyelid fold, allowing access to the underlying structures. This method is distinct from the internal approach, which is described under CPT® Code 67903. The external approach provides direct visibility and access to the anterior tarsal surface and levator aponeurosis, facilitating the necessary surgical adjustments to correct the ptosis effectively.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for patients experiencing blepharoptosis, which may manifest as the following conditions:

  • Sagging of the Upper Eyelid This condition can obstruct vision and may lead to difficulties in daily activities.
  • Weakness of the Levator Palpebrae Muscle This muscle's weakness is the primary cause of blepharoptosis, necessitating surgical intervention to restore normal eyelid function.

2. Procedure

The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 67904 involves several critical steps to effectively repair blepharoptosis:

  • Preparation and Anesthesia The procedure begins with the administration of a local anesthetic to the upper eyelid, ensuring that the patient remains comfortable throughout the surgery.
  • Measurement and Planning The surgeon takes precise measurements of the eyelid to determine the necessary amount of resection or advancement required for optimal results.
  • Incision Creation An incision is made in the skin of the upper eyelid fold, which allows access to the underlying structures. A protective shield is placed over the cornea to prevent injury during the procedure.
  • Exposure of Tarsal Surface and Levator Aponeurosis The orbicularis muscle is incised along the superior tarsal border, and the incision is extended horizontally to expose the anterior tarsal surface and levator aponeurosis.
  • Resection of Tarsus and Aponeurosis Using the previously obtained measurements, the tarsal plate is incised, and a spindle-shaped section of both the tarsus and aponeurosis is excised to facilitate the correction of the eyelid position.
  • Suture Placement A suture is placed anteriorly through the tarsus at the central portion of the superior edge and then passed through the superior edge of the levator aponeurosis. Two additional sutures are placed medially and laterally using the same technique to secure the eyelid in its new position.
  • Assessment and Adjustment The sutures are temporarily tied, and the contour of the eyelid is assessed. Adjustments are made to ensure an ideal lid shape is achieved before finalizing the sutures.
  • Closure Once the desired eyelid contour is confirmed, the sutures are permanently tied, and the incision in the lid crease skin or conjunctival incision is closed to complete the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients may experience some swelling and bruising around the eyelid area, which is expected and typically resolves over time. Post-operative care instructions will be provided, including recommendations for pain management and activity restrictions to promote healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to monitor the surgical site and ensure proper recovery. Patients should be advised to avoid strenuous activities and to keep the surgical area clean and dry as it heals.

Short Descr REPAIR EYELID DEFECT
Medium Descr RPR BLEPHAROPTOSIS LEVATOR RESCJ/ADVMNT XTRNL
Long Descr Repair of blepharoptosis; (tarso) levator resection or advancement, external approach
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 19 - Other therapeutic procedures on eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea
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).
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)
E3 Upper right, eyelid
E1 Upper left, eyelid
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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
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.
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.
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
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.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
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.
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.
73 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure prior to the administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may cancel a surgical or diagnostic procedure subsequent to the patient's surgical preparation (including sedation when provided, and being taken to the room where the procedure is to be performed), but prior to the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s) or general). under these circumstances, the intended service that is prepared for but cancelled can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 73. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
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.)
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
E2 Lower left, eyelid
E4 Lower right, eyelid
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
JZ Zero drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient
KT Beneficiary resides in a competitive bidding area and travels outside that competitive bidding area and receives a competitive bid item
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
Date
Action
Notes
2001-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
CasePilot

Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.

Ask about:
CPT Codes Guidelines Modifiers Crosswalks NCCI Edits Compliance Medicare Coverage
Example: "What is CPT code 99213?" or "Guidelines for E/M services"