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Official Description

Correction of lagophthalmos, with implantation of upper eyelid lid load (eg, gold weight)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Correction of lagophthalmos is a surgical procedure aimed at addressing the inability to fully close the upper eyelid, a condition often resulting from facial paralysis affecting the orbicularis muscle. Lagophthalmos can lead to various complications, including exposure keratitis and discomfort, particularly when the paralysis is persistent or permanent. The surgical intervention involves the implantation of a small gold weight into the upper eyelid, which helps to provide the necessary weight to assist in eyelid closure. This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, ensuring that the patient remains comfortable while allowing the surgeon to operate with precision. The process includes making a small incision in the upper eyelid, creating a pocket for the gold weight, and securing the implant to facilitate proper eyelid function. The overall goal of this surgery is to restore eyelid closure, thereby protecting the eye and improving the patient's quality of life.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure for the correction of lagophthalmos with the implantation of an upper eyelid lid load is indicated for patients who exhibit the following conditions:

  • Persistent Lagophthalmos: This condition occurs when the upper eyelid cannot close completely due to facial paralysis, which may be caused by various factors such as trauma, neurological disorders, or congenital issues.
  • Permanent Facial Paralysis: Patients with long-term facial paralysis may require surgical intervention to improve eyelid function and protect the eye from exposure and potential damage.
  • Exposure Keratitis: Individuals suffering from exposure keratitis due to inadequate eyelid closure may benefit from this procedure to prevent further ocular complications.

2. Procedure

The surgical procedure for the correction of lagophthalmos involves several key steps that ensure the successful implantation of the gold weight in the upper eyelid:

  • Step 1: The patient is positioned comfortably, and a local anesthetic is administered to the upper eyelid to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
  • Step 2: A small incision is made in the upper eyelid crease or just above the eyelashes, allowing for a discreet placement of the implant.
  • Step 3: A pocket is carefully created within the eyelid to accommodate the gold weight. This pocket is designed to securely hold the implant in place.
  • Step 4: The appropriate weight of the gold implant is selected and placed into the pocket created in the eyelid. This weight is crucial for assisting in eyelid closure.
  • Step 5: The gold weight is secured within the pocket using sutures to ensure it remains in position during the healing process.
  • Step 6: The incision in the eyelid is then closed with sutures, and care is taken to ensure proper alignment and aesthetic appearance.
  • Step 7: Finally, a protective eye pad is placed over the eyelid to shield the area and promote healing following the surgery.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients are typically advised to follow specific post-operative care instructions to ensure optimal recovery. This may include keeping the eye pad in place for a designated period, avoiding strenuous activities, and using prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and promote healing. Patients should also be monitored for any signs of complications, such as excessive swelling, redness, or discharge from the incision site. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and the effectiveness of the gold weight in improving eyelid closure.

Short Descr CORRECTION EYELID W/IMPLANT
Medium Descr CORRJ LAGOPHTHALMOS IMPLTJ UPR EYELID LID LOAD
Long Descr Correction of lagophthalmos, with implantation of upper eyelid lid load (eg, gold weight)
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
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
E1 Upper left, eyelid
E2 Lower left, eyelid
E3 Upper right, eyelid
E4 Lower right, eyelid
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PT Colorectal cancer screening test; converted to diagnostic test or other procedure
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
2004-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2004.
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