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Official Description

Repair of symblepharon; conjunctivoplasty, without graft

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A symblepharon is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal adhesion or scar tissue formation between the palpebral conjunctiva, which lines the inside of the eyelids, and the bulbar conjunctiva, the membrane covering the eyeball. This condition often arises as a result of trauma or infection, leading to significant complications. The presence of a symblepharon can severely impact eye function, as it may restrict eye movement, hinder the eyelids from fully closing or opening, and potentially result in double vision. The procedure described by CPT® Code 68330 involves the surgical repair of a symblepharon through conjunctivoplasty, which is performed without the use of a graft. During this procedure, the surgeon meticulously releases the adhesions connecting the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva. The fibrous tissue is carefully dissected away from the surrounding healthy conjunctiva and excised. Following this, adjacent healthy conjunctiva is advanced over the area where the adhesions were removed and is secured in place using sutures. This technique aims to restore normal anatomy and function to the eye, alleviating the symptoms associated with the symblepharon.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 68330 is indicated for the surgical repair of a symblepharon, which may occur due to various underlying conditions. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:

  • Trauma - Injury to the eye or eyelid that results in the formation of adhesions between the conjunctiva.
  • Infection - Inflammatory processes or infections that lead to scarring and adhesion formation between the conjunctival surfaces.
  • Restricted Eye Movement - The presence of a symblepharon can limit the range of motion of the eye, necessitating surgical intervention.
  • Inability to Close or Open Eyelids - Adhesions may prevent normal eyelid function, which can lead to further complications such as exposure keratitis.
  • Double Vision - The abnormal positioning of the eyelids and conjunctiva can result in visual disturbances, including diplopia.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 68330 involves several critical steps to effectively repair the symblepharon:

  • Step 1: Anesthesia Administration - The procedure typically begins with the administration of local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort during the surgery.
  • Step 2: Identification of Adhesions - The surgeon carefully examines the eye to identify the specific areas where adhesions exist between the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva.
  • Step 3: Release of Adhesions - Using precise surgical instruments, the surgeon meticulously releases the adhesions that connect the palpebral conjunctiva to the bulbar conjunctiva. This step is crucial for restoring normal anatomical relationships.
  • Step 4: Dissection of Fibrous Tissue - The fibrous tissue that has formed as a result of the symblepharon is carefully dissected away from the surrounding healthy conjunctiva. This dissection is performed with great care to avoid damaging the normal conjunctival tissue.
  • Step 5: Excising the Fibrous Tissue - Once the fibrous tissue is adequately dissected, it is excised to remove the source of the adhesion and restore normal conjunctival anatomy.
  • Step 6: Advancement of Healthy Conjunctiva - After excision, adjacent healthy conjunctiva is advanced over the site where the adhesions were excised. This step is essential for promoting healing and restoring the normal contour of the conjunctiva.
  • Step 7: Suturing - The advanced conjunctiva is secured in place using sutures, ensuring that the tissue remains in the correct position during the healing process.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure, patients may require specific post-operative care to ensure optimal healing and recovery. It is important to monitor the surgical site for any signs of infection or complications. Patients may be advised to avoid rubbing or putting pressure on the eye and to follow any prescribed medication regimen, which may include topical antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess the healing process and to remove sutures if applicable. The expected recovery time can vary, but patients should be informed about the importance of adhering to post-operative instructions to achieve the best possible outcome.

Short Descr REVISE EYELID LINING
Medium Descr RPR SYMBLEPHARON CONJUNCTIVOPLASTY W/O GRAFT
Long Descr Repair of symblepharon; conjunctivoplasty, without 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) 0 - 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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
E4 Lower right, eyelid
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).
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.)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
E1 Upper left, eyelid
E2 Lower left, eyelid
E3 Upper 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
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
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