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Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Reader Question:

The First Cut Is the Deepest: Postsurgery Astigmatism

Published on Thu Jan 01, 2004

Question: A patient presented with astigmatism follow-ing corneal transplant surgery. How should I code this?
     
California Subscriber
 
Answer: The correct ICD-9 code for an astigmatism occurring after a corneal transplant is 996.51 (Mechanical complications of other specified prosthetic device, implant, and graft; due to corneal graft).
 
Other procedures may cause astigmatism as well. Use 998.83 (Other specified complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified; non-healing surgical wound).
 
Postoperative complications can cause astigmatism also. If the cause was wound dehiscence, report 998.3 (Disruption of operation wound).
 
As the secondary diagnosis for this specific problem, use 367.2x (Astigmatism).
 
For the repair of the surgically induced astigmatism, assign 66250 (Revision or repair of operative wound of anterior segment, any type, early or late, major or minor procedure) for wound revision related to dehiscence.
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