65810 Drainage of eye
Also known as: anterior chamber tube insertion, AC stent placement
Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye; with insertion of tube or stent.
In Plain Language
placing small tube in front of eye to drain fluid
Clinical Context
Anterior chamber tube shunt insertion for severe glaucoma. Provides alternative aqueous outflow pathway.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 5.67 |
| Total RVU | 5.67 |
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 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 5.67, this code ranks in the 38th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.4x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 65810?
CPT 65810 (Drainage of eye) is a Surgery code. Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye; with insertion of tube or stent.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 65810?
The work RVU for CPT 65810 is 5.67. This code is primarily used by glaucoma surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 65810 used?
Anterior chamber tube shunt insertion for severe glaucoma. Provides alternative aqueous outflow pathway.
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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.