CPT® Code 66820

Discission of secondary membranous cataract (opacified posterior lens capsule and/or anterior hyaloid); stab incision technique (Ziegler or Wheeler knife)

A secondary membranous cataract, commonly known as an after-cataract, occurs when the posterior lens capsule or the anterior hyaloid membrane becomes opacified, leading to impaired vision. This condition is medically referred to as posterior capsule opacification (PCO). The procedure coded as CPT® 66820 involves the discission, or surgical opening, of this opacified area using a stab incision technique, specifically employing a Ziegler or Wheeler knife. The technique is designed to restore clear vision by creating an incision in the affected membranes. During the procedure, a small surgical needle with a knife-like tip is carefully inserted through the edge of the cornea and advanced into the posterior lens capsule and/or the anterior hyaloid membrane. The incision made by the needle-knife allows for the opening of the secondary membranous cataract, thereby providing an area of clear vision. This procedure is particularly important for patients experiencing significant visual impairment due to the opacification of these structures in the eye.