65435 Curette/treat cornea
Also known as: corneal scraping therapeutic, superficial debridement
Scraping of cornea, therapeutic; superficial.
In Plain Language
removing damaged outer layer of cornea; gentle scraping to help cornea heal
Clinical Context
Removal of loose or damaged corneal epithelium in corneal abrasion, erosion, or dystrophy to promote re-epithelialization and reduce pain.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.90 |
| Total RVU | 0.90 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 0.90, this code ranks in the 4th percentile among Surgery codes — 8.9x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 65435?
CPT 65435 (Curette/treat cornea) is a Surgery code. Scraping of cornea, therapeutic; superficial.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 65435?
The work RVU for CPT 65435 is 0.90. This code is primarily used by corneal surgery, ophthalmology.
When is CPT 65435 used?
Removal of loose or damaged corneal epithelium in corneal abrasion, erosion, or dystrophy to promote re-epithelialization and reduce pain.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.