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Official Description

Removal of implanted material, anterior segment of eye

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 65920 involves the removal of implanted material from the anterior segment of the eye. This material can include various types of implants, such as intraocular lenses, which are used to replace the eye's natural lens, or tube shunts, which are devices designed to help drain fluid from the eye. The anterior segment refers to the front part of the eye, which includes the cornea, iris, and anterior chamber. The removal process is typically performed under an operating microscope to ensure precision and minimize complications. The procedure begins with a scleral incision, which is made near the limbus, the border between the cornea and the sclera, allowing access to the anterior chamber. Once the incision is made, the surgeon locates the implanted material and carefully cuts any sutures that may be anchoring it in place. After the material is removed, the surgeon checks the ocular pressure to ensure it is within a normal range. If necessary, fluid may be injected into the anterior chamber to maintain proper pressure. Finally, the scleral incision is closed with sutures, and the eye may be covered with a protective patch or shield to aid in recovery.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure for the removal of implanted material from the anterior segment of the eye is indicated in several scenarios, including:

  • Complications from Implants Removal may be necessary due to complications arising from previously implanted materials, such as infection, inflammation, or dislocation of the implant.
  • Malfunction of Intraocular Devices If an intraocular lens or tube shunt is not functioning as intended, removal may be required to restore proper ocular function.
  • Patient Discomfort Patients experiencing discomfort or adverse reactions to the implanted material may require removal to alleviate symptoms.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the removal of implanted material from the anterior segment of the eye involves several critical steps:

  • Scleral Incision The surgeon begins by making a precise scleral incision close to the limbus, which is the junction between the cornea and the sclera. This incision provides access to the anterior chamber, the fluid-filled space located directly behind the cornea and in front of the iris.
  • Accessing the Anterior Chamber Once the incision is made, the surgeon carefully navigates through the scleral tissue to reach the anterior chamber. This step is crucial for locating the implanted material that needs to be removed.
  • Locating and Cutting Sutures After accessing the anterior chamber, the surgeon identifies the implanted material and inspects any anchoring sutures that may be securing it in place. These sutures are then cut to facilitate the removal of the implant.
  • Removal of Implanted Material With the sutures cut, the surgeon gently removes the implanted material from the anterior chamber. This step requires precision to avoid damaging surrounding ocular structures.
  • Checking Ocular Pressure Following the removal, the surgeon checks the ocular pressure to ensure it is within a normal range. This is an important step to prevent complications such as hypotony or elevated intraocular pressure.
  • Injecting Fluid if Indicated If the ocular pressure is found to be low, the surgeon may inject a sterile fluid into the anterior chamber to restore appropriate pressure levels.
  • Closing the Scleral Incision Finally, the surgeon closes the scleral incision with sutures to ensure proper healing and to maintain the integrity of the eye.
  • Applying Protective Covering After the incision is closed, the eye may be covered with a patch or shield to protect it during the initial recovery period.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the removal of implanted material from the anterior segment of the eye typically includes monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or increased ocular pressure. Patients may be advised to avoid strenuous activities and to follow specific instructions regarding eye care. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and to ensure that the eye is recovering properly. Additionally, the use of prescribed medications, such as anti-inflammatory or antibiotic eye drops, may be recommended to aid in the recovery process and to prevent infection.

Short Descr REMOVE IMPLANT OF EYE
Medium Descr RMVL IMPLANTED MATERIAL ANTERIO SEGMENT EYE
Long Descr Removal of implanted material, anterior segment of eye
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 15 - Lens and cataract procedures

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

66990 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Use of ophthalmic endoscope (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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).
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)
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.
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.
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).
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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).
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.
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.
73 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure prior to the administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may cancel a surgical or diagnostic procedure subsequent to the patient's surgical preparation (including sedation when provided, and being taken to the room where the procedure is to be performed), but prior to the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s) or general). under these circumstances, the intended service that is prepared for but cancelled can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 73. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
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).
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
X3 Episodic/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians who have broad responsibility for the comprehensive needs of the patient that is limited to a defined period and circumstance such as a hospitalization; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to the hospitalist's services rendered providing comprehensive and general care to a patient while admitted to the hospital
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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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2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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