Summary & Overview
CPT 65286: Corneal and Scleral Repair Using Tissue Adhesive
CPT code 65286 denotes ophthalmic repair using a tissue adhesive to close lacerations or tears of the cornea and/or sclera. This procedure is clinically significant because it provides a minimally invasive option for ocular surface repair that can reduce operating time, avoid sutures in select cases, and support visual preservation after traumatic or iatrogenic injuries. Nationally, the code is relevant across facility and non-facility settings where ophthalmic surgical care is delivered.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for use of tissue adhesive in corneal and scleral wounds, typical sites of service, and common billing considerations tied to this CPT code. The publication also outlines benchmarks and policy-related details relevant to payers and providers, including reimbursement practice trends and coding guidance where available.
This summary equips clinical, coding, and payer stakeholders with the essential information needed to understand the purpose of CPT code 65286, its place in ocular trauma and surgical repair workflows, and the types of content included in the full publication.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 65286 describes the use of a tissue adhesive (medical glue) to repair lacerations or tears of the cornea and/or the sclera. The procedure involves application of a specialized adhesive to close and stabilize full-thickness or partial-thickness conjunctival or ocular surface injuries when appropriate.
Service Type: Ophthalmic surgical repair using tissue adhesive
Typical Site of Service: Ambulatory surgical center, hospital operating room, or ophthalmology clinic procedure room
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient presents to the emergency department after sustaining blunt or penetrating trauma to the eye, reporting acute pain, tearing, decreased vision, and a visible corneal or scleral laceration on slit-lamp exam. Triage includes visual acuity, pupil exam, fluorescein stain to assess corneal epithelial defects, topical anesthesia, and assessment for globe integrity. If a superficial corneal or scleral laceration is identified without full-thickness globe rupture and is amenable to tissue adhesive repair, the ophthalmologist or emergency physician prepares for an in-office or operating room procedure depending on contamination, patient cooperation, and complexity.
The workflow typically includes informed consent, topical or local anesthesia, meticulous irrigation and debridement of the wound, application of a tissue adhesive to approximate the corneal or scleral edges, and placement of a bandage contact lens if indicated. Post-procedure care includes topical antibiotics, pressure patching or shield, tetanus update if needed, pain control, and close follow-up within 24–48 hours for repeat exam and suture placement if adhesive repair fails or for progressive ocular inflammation. Documentation should record wound size and location, anesthesia type, adhesive used, wound closure outcome, and follow-up plan.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier reported | Generally not used; present in raw list but not typically appended by providers |