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Conventional management of the patient with glaucoma involves drug therapy to control elevated intraocular pressures and serial evaluation of the optic nerve and the retinal fiber layer to detect glaucomatous change. Standard methods of evaluation include careful direct examination of the optic nerve using the ophthalmoscopy or stereophotography, or evaluation of visual fields. There has been interest in developing more objective, reproducible techniques both to document optic nerve damage and to detect early changes in the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL)before the development of permanent visual field deficits. Specifically, changes in the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer have been investigated as technique to diagnose and monitor glaucoma. In addition, there has been interest in measuring ocular blood flow as a diagnostic and management tool for glaucoma. A variety of new techniques have been developed, as described below:

1. Techniques to Evaluate the Optic Nerve/Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (Note: This policy only addresses uses of these techniques related to glaucoma.) 

A. Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy 

Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) is a laser-based image acquisition technique, which is intended to improve the quality of the examination compared to standard ophthalmologic examination. A laser is scanned across the retina along with a detector system. Only a single spot on the retina is illuminated at any time, resulting in a high-contrast image of great reproducibility that can be used to estimate the thickness of the RNFL. In addition, this technique does not require maximal mydriasis, which may be a problem in patients with glaucoma. The Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph is probably the most common example of this technology.

B. Scanning Laser Polarimetry

The RNFL is birefringent, causing a change in the state of polarization of a laser beam as it passes. A 780-nm diode laser is used to illuminate the optic nerve. The polarization state of the light emerging from the eye is then evaluated and correlated with RNFL thickness. Unlike CSLO, scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) can directly measure the thickness of the RNFL. GDx® is a common example of a scanning laser polarimeter. GDx® contains a normative database and statistical software package to allow comparison to age-matched normal subjects of the same ethnic origin. The advantages of this system are that images can be obtained without pupil dilation, and evaluation can be done in about 10 minutes. Current instruments have added enhanced and variable corneal compensation technology to account for corneal polarization.

C. Optical Coherence Tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses near-infrared light to provide direct cross-sectional measurement of the RNFL. The principles employed are similar to those used in B-mode ultrasound except light, not sound, is used to produce the 2-dimensional images. The light source can be directed into the eye through a conventional slit-lamp biomicroscope and focused onto the retina through a typical 78-diopter lens. This system requires dilation of the patient’s pupil. OCT® is an example of this technology.

2. Pulsatile Ocular Blood Flow

The pulsatile variation in ocular pressure results from the flow of blood into the eye during cardiac systole. Pulsatile ocular blood flow can thus be detected by the continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure. The detected pressure pulse can then be converted into a volume measurement using the known relationship between ocular pressure and ocular volume. Pulsatile blood flow is primarily determined by the choroidal vessels, particularly relevant to patients with glaucoma, since the optic nerve is supplied in large part by the choroidal circulation.

3. Doppler Ultrasonography

Color Doppler imaging has also been investigated as a technique to measure the blood velocity in the retinal and choroidal arteries.

The measurement of ocular blood flow, pulsatile ocular blood flow or blood flow velocity with Doppler ultrasonography is considered investigational in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with glaucoma.

The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefit plan language.

4/12/2001: Managed Care Requirements deleted

5/2001: Reviewed by MPAC; investigational status remains

2/7/2002: Investigational definition added

5/2/2002: Type of Service and Place of Service deleted

5/29/2002: Code Reference section completed

11/2002: Reviewed by MPAC; Scanning Laser Polarimetry (SLP) changed to medically necessary

7/2003: Reviewed by MPAC; "Description" section revised to be consistent with BCBSA, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography are medically necessary for high risk individuals, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography and scanning laser polarimetry are considered investigational as a method of monitoring disease progression in patients with glaucoma and as a screening test for glaucoma in the general population, measurement of pulsatile ocular blood flow or blood flow velocity with doppler ultrasonography is considered investigational in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with glaucoma, FEP exception added

11/1/2004: Code Reference section updated, CPT code 92135 moved to covered, ICD-9 procedure code 88.90 added covered codes, ICD-9 diagnosis code 250.00, 250.01, 250.02, 250.03, 250.10, 250.11, 250.12, 250.13, 250.20, 250.21, 250.22, 250.23, 250.30, 250.31, 250.32, 250.33, 250.40, 250.41, 250.42, 250.43, 250.50, 250.51, 250.52, 250.53, 250.60, 250.61, 250.62, 250.63, 250.70, 250.71, 250.72, 250.73, 250.80, 250.81, 250.82, 250.83, 250.90, 250.91, 250.92, 250.93, 360.21, 362.85, V19.0 added covered codes, ICD-9 diagnosis 365.00, 365.01, 365.02, 365.03, 365.04, 365.10, 365.11, 365.12, 365.13, 365.14, 365.15, 365.20, 365.21, 365.22, 365.23, 365.24, 365.31, 365.32, 365.41, 365.42, 365.43, 365.44, 365.51, 365.52, 365.59, 365.60, 365.61, 365.62, 365.63, 365.64, 365.65, 365.81, 365.82, 365.83, 365.89, 365.9 description revised and moved from non-covered to covered, CPT code 93875 added to non-covered codes

1/10/2005: Code Reference section updated, ICD-9 diagnosis code 362.01, 362.02, 368.40, 368.41, 368.42, 368.43, 368.44, 368.45, 368.46, 368.47 added covered codes, HCPCS S0820 deleted

11/16/2005: Code Reference section updated, ICD9 diagnosis codes 362.03 - 362.07 added

3/17/2006: Policy reviewed, no changes

12/19/2007: Coding updated per 2008 CPT/HCPCS revisions

1/18/2008: Policy reviewed, no changes

9/16/2008: Annual ICD-9 updates effective 10-1-2008 applied

12/31/2008: Code reference section updated per 2009 CPT/HCPCS revisions

08/03/2010: Policy Description revised to remove optic nerve head analyzers. Policy statement revised to remove optic nerve head analyzers and analysis of the optic nerve (retinal nerve fiber layer) in the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with glaucoma or glaucoma suspects may be considered medically necessary when using scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, scanning laser polarimetry, and optical coherence tomography. FEP verbiage revised in Policy Exceptions section. Code Reference section revised to add ICD-9 diagnosis codes to the Covered Codes Table:  115.02, 190.5, 190.6, 224.5, 224.6, 228.03, 360.11, 361.00 - 361.9, 362.00 - 362.9, 363.00 - 363.9, 364.21 - 364.24 and 368.15. A note was revised for CPT Code 33875 in the  Non-Covered Codes Table.

03/07/2011: Policy statement updated to add ocular blood flow as investigational.  Added new CPT codes 92132, 92133, and 92134 to the Code Reference section. 

03/02/2012: Policy reviewed. Deleted outdated references from Sources section.

04/17/2013: Policy reviewed; no changes to policy statement. Added ICD-9 procedure code 38.25 to the Code Reference section and deleted 88.90 from the Code Reference section.

The code(s) listed below are ONLY covered if the procedure is performed according to the "Policy" section of this document. 

Covered Codes

This is not an all-inclusive list of non-covered procedure codes.

The code(s) listed below and ANY code not listed in the previous section are considered non-covered for this procedure.  

Non-Covered Codes

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