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Corneal incisions in the donor cornea created using a laser are a critical preparatory step for both penetrating and lamellar keratoplasty procedures. Lamellar keratoplasty is a surgical technique aimed at replacing only the diseased or scarred partial thickness portion of the cornea, while preserving the surrounding healthy corneal tissue. This selective approach minimizes disruption to the eye and promotes better healing outcomes. On the other hand, penetrating keratoplasty involves a full-thickness corneal transplant, which is indicated for various corneal conditions such as viral keratitis, keratoconus, Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, bullous keratopathy, and corneal scarring resulting from trauma or keratitis. Both surgical procedures necessitate the use of a donor cornea, which is where the precise incisions come into play. Utilizing a femtosecond laser, surgeons can create accurately shaped incisions in the donor cornea, facilitating a seamless integration of the donor tissue with the recipient's existing corneal structure. This technique not only enhances the stability of the graft but also accelerates patient recovery and visual rehabilitation by reducing the need for extensive suturing and minimizing the risk of induced astigmatism. For accurate coding, the procedure of making incisions in the donor cornea is reported with CPT® code 0289T, while incisions made in the recipient cornea are reported with CPT® code 0290T.
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Corneal incisions in the donor cornea created using a laser are indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for creating corneal incisions in the donor cornea involves several critical steps:
Post-procedure care following the creation of corneal incisions in the donor cornea typically involves monitoring the donor tissue and preparing for the subsequent keratoplasty procedure. Patients may be advised on specific recovery protocols, including the use of prescribed medications to prevent infection and manage inflammation. The expected recovery time can vary, but the precision of the laser incisions generally contributes to a quicker healing process and improved visual outcomes. Surgeons will also provide guidance on follow-up appointments to assess the integration of the graft and overall eye health.
| Short Descr | LASER INC FOR PKP/LKP DONOR | Medium Descr | CORNEA INCISNS DONOR CORNEA W/LASR KERTPLSTY | Long Descr | Corneal incisions in the donor cornea created using a laser, in preparation for penetrating or lamellar keratoplasty (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Carriers Price the Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 9 - 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 | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T2D - Other tests - other | MUE | Not applicable/unspecified. | CCS Clinical Classification | 13 - Corneal transplant |
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| 2016-12-31 | Deleted | Code deleted. |
| 2012-01-01 | Added | Added |
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