Ophthalmic Coding Specialist Practice Test

What is indicated by CPT code 66830?

1. Removal of lens material with aspiration

2. Posterior capsulotomy without cutting the membrane

3. Posterior capsulotomy with membrane removed

4. User of phacoemulsification technique

The correct answer is: Posterior capsulotomy with membrane removed

CPT code 66830 is associated with a specific ophthalmic surgical procedure known as posterior capsulotomy with the removal of the membrane. This procedure is typically performed to treat conditions like posterior capsule opacification, a common complication following cataract surgery where the membrane that holds the intraocular lens becomes cloudy. In the context of this code, the procedure involves making an incision in the cloudy capsule and removing the obstructive membrane to restore clear vision. Achieving clarity of vision is crucial in patients who have experienced cloudy vision due to opacification. The precise description of the procedure encapsulated in CPT 66830 indicates that both the incision (capsulotomy) and the removal of the obstructive membrane are critical steps in the intervention. The other options describe similar procedures, but they either do not indicate the removal of the membrane or elaborate on other techniques that do not apply to this specific code. For instance, removal of lens material is not aligned with the purpose of CPT code 66830, as that would involve different codes related to lens procedures. Similarly, a posterior capsulotomy without cutting the membrane would not align with what CPT 66830 describes, and phacoemulsification refers specifically to a technique used in cataract surgery that