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Official Description

Repair of ectropion; excision tarsal wedge

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

An ectropion is a medical condition characterized by the outward turning of the eyelid margin, which results in the lid being everted away from the eyeball (globe). This abnormal positioning of the eyelid can lead to several complications, including exposure of the cornea, which may result in irritation and damage. Patients with ectropion often experience excessive tearing due to the inability of the eyelid to properly cover the eye, leading to discomfort and potential vision loss. The condition is most frequently observed in the lower eyelid. The surgical procedure associated with CPT® Code 67916 involves the repair of ectropion through the excision of a tarsal wedge. During this procedure, local anesthesia is typically administered, and a nerve block may be used to enhance pain control. A corneal shield is placed to protect the eye during the surgery. The procedure entails making a V-shaped incision over the affected area, excising a wedge of the tarsal plate, and subsequently closing the open wedge with sutures. The final step involves closing the skin incision. This repair technique is specifically designed to address the structural issues caused by ectropion, restoring the normal position of the eyelid and alleviating associated symptoms.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 67916 is indicated for the treatment of ectropion, which may present with the following symptoms and conditions:

  • Outward turning of the eyelid margin - This condition leads to the exposure of the cornea.
  • Excessive tearing - Patients may experience increased tear production due to the inability of the eyelid to cover the eye properly.
  • Changes in the palpebral conjunctiva - The condition can lead to alterations in the conjunctival tissue, which may require surgical intervention.
  • Potential vision loss - If left untreated, ectropion can result in damage to the cornea and subsequent vision impairment.

2. Procedure

The surgical procedure for the repair of ectropion using CPT® Code 67916 involves several key steps:

  • Administration of Anesthesia - The procedure begins with the administration of local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort. A nerve block may also be utilized as needed to enhance pain management during the surgery.
  • Placement of Corneal Shield - A corneal shield is placed over the eye to protect the cornea from any potential injury during the surgical procedure.
  • Incision Creation - A V-shaped incision is made over the area of the ectropion. This incision is critical for accessing the underlying tarsal plate.
  • Excision of Tarsal Wedge - A wedge of the tarsal plate is excised through the incision. This step is essential for correcting the everted eyelid margin.
  • Closure of the Tarsal Plate - The open wedge in the tarsal plate is then closed with sutures, restoring the structural integrity of the eyelid.
  • Skin Closure - Finally, the skin incision is closed, completing the surgical repair of the ectropion.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients may require specific post-operative care to ensure proper healing and minimize complications. This may include instructions on keeping the surgical site clean, using prescribed eye drops to prevent infection, and monitoring for any signs of complications such as excessive swelling or discharge. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to assess the healing process and the effectiveness of the repair. Patients should be advised to avoid activities that may strain the eyes or eyelids during the initial recovery period.

Short Descr REPAIR EYELID DEFECT
Medium Descr REPAIR ECTROPION EXCISION TARSAL WEDGE
Long Descr Repair of ectropion; excision tarsal wedge
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 2
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).
E2 Lower left, eyelid
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).
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
E4 Lower right, eyelid
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.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
E1 Upper left, eyelid
E3 Upper 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
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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
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2004-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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