Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Question: Postoperatively to a vitrectomy, the patient was returned to the operating room for release of C3F and gas to lower the intraocular pressure. How can this procedure be coded?

B.J. Fowler, MD
Englewood, NJ

Answer: This is considered a complication of surgery, and would be coded 67115-78 (release of encircling material). If you need to add gas at some point because too much has been released, you would use 67110-78 (repair of retinal detachment by injection of air or other gas). The -78 modifier indicates that you returned to the OR for a related procedure during the postoperative period.