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.
Strabismus surgery is a specialized procedure aimed at correcting misalignment of the eyes, which can occur due to imbalances in the strength of the extraocular muscles. The human eye is controlled by six extraocular muscles that facilitate movement in various directions. When one of these muscles is excessively strong, it can lead to conditions where the eye turns inward, outward, or experiences vertical misalignment. Conversely, if a muscle is too weak, it can result in the eyes being misaligned. To address these issues, two primary surgical techniques are employed: recession and resection. In a recession procedure, the affected muscle is detached from its original position on the eye and reattached further back, thereby reducing its strength relative to the opposing muscle. This technique is typically used for muscles that are too strong. On the other hand, a resection procedure is utilized to strengthen a weak muscle by detaching it and reattaching it in a new position closer to the front of the eye. This adjustment helps to correct the misalignment. The surgery involves making a small incision in the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the eye, to access the extraocular muscles. After the necessary adjustments are made, the incision is closed. The specific CPT® code 67316 is designated for strabismus surgery involving recession or resection of two or more vertical muscles, excluding the superior oblique muscle, highlighting the complexity and precision required in these corrective procedures.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure involves several key steps to ensure effective correction of the eye misalignment:
Post-procedure care typically includes monitoring for any complications, managing pain, and ensuring proper healing of the incision. Patients may be advised to avoid strenuous activities and follow specific instructions regarding eye care. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the alignment of the eyes and the overall success of the surgery.
| Short Descr | REVISE TWO EYE MUSCLES | Medium Descr | STRABISMUS RECESSION/RESCJ 2/MORE VER MUSC | Long Descr | Strabismus surgery, recession or resection procedure; 2 or more vertical muscles (excluding superior oblique) | 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) | 0 - 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). | 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). | 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. | 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.) | 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). | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2009-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed |
| 1991-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1991. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.