Combined Cataract Extraction and Glaucoma Surgery, Part III (November 2003)

Why This Topic Matters

Combined ophthalmic procedures can be coded differently depending on procedure type, surgical history, laterality, and use of modifiers. This article helps readers identify the relevant CPT and HCPCS Level II concepts discussed in the series.

Article Sections

1. Coding Communication: Combined Cataract Extraction and Glaucoma Surgery, Part III

   Overview of the article’s focus within a glaucoma surgery series and the general context for combined ophthalmic procedures.

2. Clinical Indications for Combined Surgery

   General reasons combined surgery may be considered and the broad treatment goals of the procedure.

3. Anatomy

   Background anatomy related to the eye and to the surgical procedures discussed in the article.

4. Glaucoma

   General discussion of glaucoma as a disease process and its relationship to intraocular pressure.

5. Cataract

   General discussion of cataracts and how lens opacity affects vision.

6. Coding Combined Surgery

   High-level coding framework for reporting the combined procedure and related modifier concepts.

7. Coding Cataract Extraction With Insertion of Intraocular Lens

   Discussion of cataract extraction method categories and how the article organizes the related coding topics.

8. Coding Trabeculectomy Glaucoma Surgery

   Discussion of trabeculectomy coding in relation to patient history and procedure classification.

9. Combined Surgery: Cataract Extraction and Trabeculectomy for Glaucoma

   Narrative description of the combined surgical setting and operative sequence covered by the article.

10. Procedure

    Step-by-step surgical context for the combined ophthalmic procedure, including the operative workflow and postoperative considerations.