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Official Description

Conjunctivoplasty; with buccal mucous membrane graft (includes obtaining graft)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Conjunctivoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at correcting various conditions affecting the conjunctiva, which is the thin, transparent membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. This procedure is particularly indicated for issues such as redundant conjunctiva, which refers to excess conjunctival tissue that may cause discomfort or visual obstruction, lesions of the conjunctiva that can arise from various etiologies, and hyperemia, characterized by the dilation of conjunctival blood vessels leading to redness and inflammation. During conjunctivoplasty, a subconjunctival injection may be administered to elevate the conjunctiva away from the sclera, allowing for better access to the affected area. The surgical process involves the excision of redundant or abnormal conjunctival tissue, followed by either the rearrangement of the remaining conjunctiva or the harvesting of a conjunctival graft from the contralateral eye to repair the defect. In cases where a buccal mucous membrane graft is utilized, as specified in CPT® Code 68325, the graft is typically harvested from the lower lip, providing a robust tissue option for reconstruction. This procedure not only addresses the aesthetic and functional aspects of conjunctival defects but also aims to restore the integrity and health of the ocular surface.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Conjunctivoplasty is performed for several specific indications, including:

  • Redundant Conjunctiva Excess conjunctival tissue that may lead to discomfort or visual obstruction.
  • Lesions of the Conjunctiva Abnormal growths or changes in the conjunctival tissue that require surgical intervention.
  • Hyperemia of Conjunctival Blood Vessels Dilation of blood vessels in the conjunctiva resulting in redness and inflammation.

2. Procedure

The procedure for conjunctivoplasty involves several detailed steps, which are as follows:

  • Step 1: Subconjunctival Injection A subconjunctival injection may be administered to elevate the conjunctiva off the sclera, providing better access to the surgical site.
  • Step 2: Excision of Abnormal Tissue The redundant or abnormal conjunctival tissue is excised to prepare for reconstruction.
  • Step 3: Graft Harvesting (if applicable) If a conjunctival graft is needed, it is harvested from the contralateral eye. The donor site is marked, and the conjunctiva is elevated using a subconjunctival injection of balanced salt solution and local anesthetic. The lateral borders of the graft are incised radially, and the tissue is undermined using blunt dissection, extending to the conjunctival insertion at the limbus and into the peripheral cornea.
  • Step 4: Graft Preparation The conjunctival graft, including superficial epithelial corneal tissue, is excised. The donor site may be left to heal by secondary intention or advanced to cover part of the donor site to minimize pain and inflammation.
  • Step 5: Graft Application The harvested graft is then placed over the surgically created defect in the opposite eye. In the case of CPT® Code 68325, a buccal mucous membrane graft is utilized, typically harvested from the lower lip. A split thickness mucous membrane graft is obtained using a mucotome, configured to the appropriate size and shape to fit the conjunctival defect.
  • Step 6: Graft Securing The buccal mucous membrane graft is sutured to the conjunctiva and/or sclera to ensure proper placement and integration.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for conjunctivoplasty may include monitoring for signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring proper healing of both the conjunctival and buccal graft sites. Patients may be advised on the use of topical medications to promote healing and reduce inflammation. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the integration of the graft and the overall recovery of the ocular surface.

Short Descr REVISE/GRAFT EYELID LINING
Medium Descr CONJUNCTIVOPLASTY W/BUCCAL MUC MEMB GRAFT
Long Descr Conjunctivoplasty; with buccal mucous membrane graft (includes obtaining graft)
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).
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).
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
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
E2 Lower left, eyelid
E3 Upper right, eyelid
E4 Lower right, eyelid
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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