CPT® Code 67221

Destruction of localized lesion of choroid (eg, choroidal neovascularization); photodynamic therapy (includes intravenous infusion)

Destruction of a localized lesion of the choroid is a medical procedure aimed at treating conditions such as choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which is characterized by the formation of new, abnormal blood vessels in the choroid layer of the eye. These vessels can penetrate the Bruch membrane, leading to complications that may result in significant vision loss. The procedure utilizes photodynamic therapy (PDT), a technique that combines a photoactive drug with low-energy laser light to effectively ablate the targeted choroidal tissue. The photoactive drug, Verteporfin, is administered intravenously, typically over a period of approximately 10 minutes, and is given 15 minutes prior to the application of the laser treatment. This timing is crucial as it allows the drug to accumulate in the abnormal blood vessels, enhancing the effectiveness of the laser treatment. During the procedure, a contact lens and a slit lamp are employed to precisely direct the laser at the lesion, ensuring targeted destruction of the affected area. This procedure can be performed on one or both eyes in a single session, with specific coding guidelines indicating the appropriate CPT® codes to use for each eye treated.