CPT® Code 65815

Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye (separate procedure); with removal of blood, with or without irrigation and/or air injection

The procedure described by CPT® Code 65815 refers to a paracentesis of the anterior chamber of the eye, which is a specialized surgical intervention aimed at addressing hyphema. Hyphema is characterized by the accumulation of blood in the anterior chamber, the fluid-filled space between the cornea and the iris, often resulting from ocular trauma. This procedure is classified as a separate procedure, indicating that it is performed independently and is not part of a more extensive surgical operation. During the paracentesis, the eye is first anesthetized using topical eye drops to ensure patient comfort. The surgeon then creates two small incisions, or paracentesis sites, in the eye using a precise knife blade. A needle or cannula is subsequently inserted into one of these sites to facilitate the removal of the pooled blood. The surgeon irrigates the anterior chamber with a balanced saline solution to wash out the loose blood while carefully monitoring the intraocular pressure throughout the process. If the presence of a blood clot is detected and the irrigation does not sufficiently lower the intraocular pressure, the surgeon may slightly enlarge the paracentesis site to allow for the removal of the clot through irrigation and aspiration techniques. In some cases, air may be injected into the eye after the procedure to help stabilize the intraocular pressure, ensuring optimal recovery and function of the eye.