Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Question: I need a CPT® code for removal of conjunctival concretions. The ophthalmologist flipped the eyelid up and scraped the concretions off. The diagnosis was 372.54.

Texas Subscriber

Answer: Report 65210 (Removal of foreign body, external eye; conjunctival embedded [includes concretions], subconjunctival, or scleral nonperforating) for removal of conjunctival concretions (372.54, Conjunctival concretions).

If the ophthalmologist removed concretions from only one eyelid, code only one unit of 65210. But if he also removes a corneal foreign body from the same eye, you can code separately with 65220 (... corneal, without slit lamp) or 65222 (... corneal, with slit lamp).