CPT® Code 66172

Fistulization of sclera for glaucoma; trabeculectomy ab externo with scarring from previous ocular surgery or trauma (includes injection of antifibrotic agents)

The procedure described by CPT® Code 66172 involves the surgical creation of a new drainage pathway for ocular fluids through the sclera, which is the white outer coating of the eyeball. This intervention is specifically indicated for patients suffering from glaucoma, a condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure due to inadequate drainage of aqueous humor, the fluid produced in the front chamber of the eye. In cases where previous ocular surgeries or trauma have resulted in scarring, the trabeculectomy is performed ab externo, meaning from the outside of the eye, to facilitate improved drainage. During this procedure, the surgeon removes a portion of the tissue that connects the iris to the scleral membrane, thereby establishing a new channel for fluid to escape into the space between the sclera and other intraocular structures. Additionally, the procedure includes the injection of antifibrotic agents, which are substances used to prevent excessive scarring and promote the success of the drainage pathway. This code is specifically applicable when the procedure is necessitated by complications arising from prior eye surgeries, highlighting its role in managing glaucoma in patients with a history of ocular interventions.