Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 67311 pertains to strabismus surgery, specifically focusing on recession or resection procedures involving one horizontal muscle. Strabismus is a condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object, which can lead to issues with depth perception and visual clarity. The eye is controlled by six extraocular muscles, which are responsible for its movement. When one of these muscles is excessively strong, it can cause the eye to deviate, resulting in conditions such as esotropia (inward turning) or exotropia (outward turning). Conversely, if a muscle is too weak, it can lead to misalignment of the eyes. In cases where a muscle is too strong, a recession procedure is performed on the affected eye, which involves detaching the muscle from its original position and reattaching it further back on the eye. This action effectively weakens the muscle's pull, allowing for better alignment with the opposing muscle. On the other hand, if a muscle is too weak, a recession procedure may be performed on the opposing eye to help achieve balance. Alternatively, a resection procedure may be utilized to strengthen a weak muscle, which involves detaching the muscle and reattaching it in a new position to enhance its strength and correct the misalignment. The surgical approach typically involves making a small incision in the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye, over the targeted extraocular muscle. The muscle is then detached from the globe of the eye and repositioned either farther back or in a new location, depending on whether a recession or resection is being performed. After the muscle is secured in its new position with sutures, the conjunctival incision is closed. This procedure can be performed on various muscles, including the lateral or medial rectus muscles, with specific codes designated for different combinations of muscle involvement.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The indications for performing strabismus surgery, specifically the recession or resection procedure as described by CPT® Code 67311, include the following conditions:
The procedure for strabismus surgery involving one horizontal muscle, as outlined by CPT® Code 67311, consists of several key steps:
Post-procedure care following strabismus surgery involves monitoring the patient for any immediate complications and providing instructions for recovery. Patients may experience some discomfort, redness, or swelling in the eye, which is typically managed with prescribed medications. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the alignment of the eyes and the overall success of the procedure. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and to adhere to any specific care instructions provided by the surgeon to ensure optimal healing and recovery.
| Short Descr | REVISE EYE MUSCLE | Medium Descr | STRABISMUS RECESSION/RESCJ 1 HRZNTL MUSC | Long Descr | Strabismus surgery, recession or resection procedure; 1 horizontal muscle | 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) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | 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 | 21 - Other extraocular muscle and orbit therapeutic procedures |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 67320 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Transposition procedure (eg, for paretic extraocular muscle), any extraocular muscle (specify) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 67331 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Strabismus surgery on patient with previous eye surgery or injury that did not involve the extraocular muscles (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 67332 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Strabismus surgery on patient with scarring of extraocular muscles (eg, prior ocular injury, strabismus or retinal detachment surgery) or restrictive myopathy (eg, dysthyroid ophthalmopathy) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 67334 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Strabismus surgery by posterior fixation suture technique, with or without muscle recession (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 67335 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Placement of adjustable suture(s) during strabismus surgery, including postoperative adjustment(s) of suture(s) (List separately in addition to code for specific strabismus surgery) | 67340 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Strabismus surgery involving exploration and/or repair of detached extraocular muscle(s) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 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). | 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) | 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). | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | 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). | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 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). | AG | Primary physician | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | QX | Crna service: with medical direction by a 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 | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | 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 |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2009-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.