Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Question: A patient had a poor visual result from a multifocal implant and had it replaced with a single vision implant. What diagnosis code should we use?

Texas Subscriber

Answer: Since the vision problem is a complication from the multifocal lens implant surgery, the ICD-9 category of 996 (complications peculiar to certain specified procedures) for complication of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified, should be used. In this case, the appropriate ICD-9 code is 996.79 (due to other internal prosthetic device, implant and graft). Since this is a complication of surgery, a V-code would not be appropriate.