Placental Tissue to Scaffold the Conjunctiva

I. Paul Singh, MD

Eyetube

In this video, I. Paul Singh, MD, demonstrates a novel technique in which he uses placental tissue to create a scaffold to keep the conjunctiva and tenons away from the Xen Gel Stent (AbbVie) to prevent fibrosis.

Navigating a Winding Path

Make your journey your own and be prepared to handle what life may throw at you.

Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO

Modern Optometry

Every career in health care is full of unexpected turns, opportunities, challenges, and moments that test both skill and character. In this article, I share my journey through residency, practice transitions, and personal health challenges, including a cancer diagnosis during a pandemic. My hope is that these experiences offer lessons on resilience, adaptability, and empathy, both for your career and for the patients you serve. I started my career in optometry not as a doctor, but as a technician, gaining firsthand experience in the clinic while I applied to school. From early on, I knew I wanted to complete a residency, but with a GPA that wasn’t exactly stellar, I had to prove my drive and commitment. That determination carried me forward, and during my residency in Cincinnati I not only discovered how much I loved the work, but also met my husband. In a funny twist, he had been living in Memphis, where I went to optometry school, and although we shared many mutual friends, our paths hadn’t crossed until then. ON THE ROAD AGAIN After residency, we moved to Tucson, Arizona, where I was offered the opportunity to help open and run a brand-new medical center. It felt like a leap, but I said yes. Only 6 months later, the practice was acquired by private equity, and the plans for the center were put on hold.

10 Essential Steps for Accurate Retina Surgery Coding

Keeping these in mind, practices can reduce errors, prevent denials, and maintain accurate billing.

Joy Woodke, COE, OCS, OCSR, and Matthew Baugh, MHA, COT, OCS, OCSR

Retina Today

Ensuring proper reimbursement for ophthalmic surgery demands more than simply selecting a CPT code—it requires a structured, methodical approach to coding. A consistent review process helps safeguard against denials, clarify complex billing combinations, and accurately reflect what occurred in the OR. The following example shows how to apply 10 necessary steps for successful surgical coding (Figure). Figure. Following these 10 steps can help surgeons code carefully and enjoy proper reimbursement. OPERATIVE SUMMARY The operative note describes a patient who underwent a pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) to address a dislocated posterior chamber IOL in the left eye. The IOL was split into two fragments, and during surgery, each piece was carefully elevated, cut, and removed through a clear corneal incision under the protection of viscoelastic. After clearing the posterior segment, the surgeon placed a new posterior chamber IOL. A peripheral iridotomy was created to remove residual viscoelastic, and subconjunctival injections of dexamethasone and cefazolin were administered. Step 1: Identify All Possible CPT Codes and Read Full Descriptors Using the documentation in the operative report, identify every CPT code that could apply to the documented procedures.