Computerized Corneal Topography

Number: 0130

Policy

  1. Aetna considers computerized corneal topography medically necessary for any of the following conditions:

    • Central corneal ulcer; or
    • Corneal dystrophy, bullous keratopathy and complications of transplanted cornea; or
    • Diagnosing and monitoring disease progression in keratoconus or Terrien's marginal degeneration; or 
    • Difficult fitting of contact lens (see CPB 0126 - Contact Lenses and Eyeglasses) Footnote1*; or 
    • Evaluating corneal ectasia; or
    • Post-traumatic corneal scarring; or
    • Pre- and post-penetrating keratoplasty and post kerato-refractive surgery for irregular astigmatism (subject to medical necessity criteria for these procedures - see CPB 0023 - Corneal Remodeling); or
    • Pterygium or pseudo pterygium.

    Footnote1* Generally, 1 testing for each eye is sufficient for fitting, unless there is some reason for repeat testing conducted in the medical record, such as a change in the member's condition from the prior examination.  Repeat testing to monitor disease progression in keratoconus or Terrien's marginal degeneration may be necessary over time.

  2. Note: Aetna does not cover corneal topography if it is performed pre- or post-operatively in relation to a non-covered procedure (i.e., refractive eye surgery).  Most Aetna benefit plans exclude coverage of refractive surgery.  Please check benefit plan descriptions for details.

  3. Aetna considers corneal topography experimental and investigational if it is performed as part of pre-operative assessment of members with cataracts (see CPB 0508 - Cataract Removal Surgery).

  4. Aetna considers corneal topography experimental and investigational for the management of members with the following indications (not an all-inclusive list) because corneal topography has not been shown to alter the clinical management of these conditions such that clinical outcomes are improved:

    • Acanthomoeba keratitis
    • Accommodative disorders
    • Band keratopathy
    • Diplopia
    • Epithelial ingrowth following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
    • Interstitial keratitis
    • Kerato-conjunctivitis sicca
    • Lattice degeneration of retina
    • Lens subluxation (e.g., in Marfan syndrome)
    • Limbal dermoids
    • Microphthalmia
    • Nodular degeneration of the cornea (e.g., Salzmann's corneal degeneration)
    • Ocular graft-versus-host disease
    • Ocular surface squamous neoplasia
    • Open-angle glaucoma
    • Post-herpes simplex virus scarring of cornea
    • Refractive errors
    • Superficial punctate keratopathy.

Background

Computerized corneal topography (also known as computer assisted corneal topography, computer assisted keratography, or videokeratography) is a computer- assisted diagnostic technique in which a special instrument projects a series of light rings on the cornea, creating a color-coded map of the corneal surface as well as a cross-section profile.  This test is used for the detection of subtle corneal surface irregularities and astigmatism as an alternative to manual keratometry.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s guidelines on “Primary open-angle glaucoma” (AAO, 2010) mentioned no role for corneal topography in the management of patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Choi and Kim (2012) examined the longitudinal changes in corneal topographic indices over time in patients with mild keratoconus (KC) and determined predictive factors for the increase in corneal curvature.  These investigators retrospectively reviewed the data of 94 eyes of patients with mild KC who had undergone computerized video-keratography (Orbscan IIz; Bausch & Lomb Surgical, Rochester, NY) at least twice at an interval of greater than or equal to 1 year.  Patients with an increase of greater than or equal to 1.50 diopters (D) in the central keratometry (K) were placed in the progression group, and the others were placed in the non-progression group.  In each group, the quantitative topographic parameters were compared and tested as predictive factors for KC progression.  Additionally, corneal astigmatic changes were evaluated by means of vector analysis.  In total, 94 eyes of 85 patients were included -- 25 of 94 (26.5 %) eyes showed progression of the central K greater than or equal to 1.50 D; progression took 3.5 years on average.  Median time to progression by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 12 years.  Significant predictors for KC progression were as follows: highest point on the anterior elevation from the anterior best-fit sphere (BFS), greater than or equal to 0.04 mm; irregularity index at 3 mm, greater than or equal to 6.5 D; irregularity index at 5 mm, greater than or equal to 6.0 D; thinnest pachymetry, less than 350 μm at baseline examination; yearly change rate of anterior BFS, greater than or equal to 0.1 D/year; central K, greater than or equal to 0.1 D/year; simulated K in maximum, greater than or equal to 0.15 D/year; simulated K in minimum, greater than or equal to 0.2 D/year; and anterior chamber depth, greater than or equal to 0.0 mm/year.  The dominant with-the-rule pattern of astigmatism at the baseline examination was changed to an oblique pattern of astigmatism at the last examination.  The authors concluded that mild KC tended to be progressive in approximately 25 % of patients, and progression lasted 3.5 years on average.  They stated that longitudinal changes in the corneal topography quantitative indices can be used as predictors of KC progression.

Follow-Up Evaluation of Keratoconus

An UpToDate review on “Keratoconus” (Wayman, 2015) states that “Corneal topography -- The introduction of corneal topography has helped in the identification of subtle presentations, which can lead to an earlier diagnosis.  Major topographic patterns found in keratoconus include asymmetric bowtie, with or without inferior steepening, and skewed radial axes.  However, once the diagnosis is made, serially corneal topography is of little value in following patients”.

Microphthalmia

Hu and colleagues (2015) determined the typical corneal changes in pure microphthalmia using a corneal topography system and identified characteristics that may assist in early diagnosis.  Patients with pure microphthalmia and healthy control subjects underwent corneal topography analysis to determine degree of corneal astigmatism (mean A), simulation of corneal astigmatism (sim A), mean keratometry (mean K), simulated keratometry (sim K), irregularities in the 3 - and 5-mm zone, and mean thickness of 9 distinct corneal regions.  Patients with pure microphthalmia (n = 12) had significantly higher mean K, sim K, mean A, sim A, 3.0 mm irregularity and 5.0 mm irregularity, and exhibited significantly more false keratoconus than controls (n = 12).  There was a significant between-group difference in the morphology of the anterior corneal surface and the central curvature of the cornea.  The authors concluded that changes in corneal morphology observed in this study could be useful in borderline situations to confirm the diagnosis of pure microphthalmia.  These preliminary findings need to be validated by well-designed studies.

Other Experimental Indications

In a retrospective, clinic-based, case-control study, de Paiva et al (2003) determined the correlation between the regularity indices of the Tomey TMS-2N computerized videokeratoscopy (CVK) instrument (Tomey, Waltham, MA) with conventional measures of dry eye symptoms and disease.  A total of 16 eyes of 16 asymptomatic normal subjects and 74 eyes of 74 patients with reports of ocular irritation were included in this study.  Corneal surface regularity and potential visual acuity indices (PVAI) of the Tomey TMS-2N CVK instrument were evaluated in patients with ocular irritation symptoms and in normal subjects.  The surface regularity index (SRI), surface asymmetry index (SAI), PVAI, and irregular astigmatism index (IAI) of the Tomey TMS-2N were compared between normal and dry-eye patients.  Severity of dry-eye symptoms was assessed with a validated questionnaire.  Schirmer 1 test (without anesthesia), biomicroscopic meibomian gland evaluation with a composite severity score (MGD score), fluorescein tear break-up time (TBUT), and corneal fluorescein staining were performed.  The correlations between CVK indices of the Tomey TMS-2N and the symptom severity score, Schirmer 1 test, MGD score, TBUT, and corneal fluorescein staining score were studied.  Dry-eye patients had greater mean symptom severity scores, lower Schirmer 1 test scores, greater MGD scores, more rapid TBUT, and greater total corneal fluorescein staining scores (p < 0.001 for all parameters).  The SRI, SAI, and IAI were all significantly greater in dry-eye patients than normal subjects.  These were 0.46 +/- 0.36 (normal) versus 1.09 +/- 0.76 (dry) for the SRI (p= 0.0017), 0.30 +/- 0.15 (normal) versus 0.90 +/- 1.09 (dry) for the SAI (p = 0.0321), and 0.42 +/- 0.28 (normal) versus 0.56 +/- 0.24 (dry) for the IAI (p = 0.0321).  The PVAI  was significantly lower in the dry-eye patients (0.89 +/- 0.13) than normal eyes (0.68 +/- 0.23; p = 0.0008).  The SRI, SAI, and IAI were positively correlated with total and central corneal fluorescein staining scores (p < 0.00001 for all indices).  An SRI greater than or equal to 0.80), SAI (greater than or equal to 0.50), and IAI (greater than or equal to 0.50) had sensitivities in predicting total corneal fluorescein staining (score greater than or equal to 3) of 89 %, 69 %, and 82 %, respectively.  The specificity of these indices was 80 %, 78 %, and 82 %, respectively.  In all 90 eyes, the mean SRI was greater in subjects older than 50 years (p = 0.012) compared with younger patients, whereas no age effect was noted in the dry-eye patients.  The SRI and PVAI showed better correlation with symptoms of blurred vision than the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).  The authors concluded that patients with ocular irritation had an irregular corneal surface that may contribute to their irritation and visual symptoms.  Because of their high sensitivity and specificity, the regularity indices of the Tomey TMS-2N have the potential to be used as objective diagnostic indices for dry eye, as well as a means to evaluate the severity of this disease.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology Cornea/External Disease Panel’s Preferred Practice Pattern on “Dry Eye Syndrome” (AAO, 2013) had no recommendation for computerized corneal topography.

The AAO’s guideline on “Herpes simplex virus keratitis” (White and Chodosh, 2014) does not include a recommendation for corneal topography.

Furthermore, UpToDate reviews on “Retinal detachment” (Arroyo, 2018) and “Diagnosis and classification of Sjogren's syndrome” (Baer, 2018) do not mention corneal topography as a management tool.

Evaluation of Corneal Ectasia

The AAO Preferred Practice Pattern Cornea and External Disease Panel’s “Corneal Ectasia Preferred Practice Pattern” (Garcia-Ferrer et al, 2019) states that “Corneal ectasia is progressive corneal steepening and thinning.  Types of corneal ectasia include keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, keratoglobus post kerato-refractive ectasia, and wound ectasia after penetrating keratoplasty (PK).  Corneal ectasias are associated with decreased uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), an increase in ocular aberrations, and often a loss of best-corrected distance visual acuity.  Corneal ectasias can result in significant ocular morbidity and may require surgical intervention … The diagnosis of corneal ectasia is usually based on a typical patient history and characteristic findings on topography and tomography … A comprehensive evaluation of both the anterior and posterior surfaces (topographically and tomographically) as well as full pachymetric mapping of the cornea is felt to be important in establishing the diagnosis of corneal ectatic disease and following its course.  Slit-scanning corneal topography and Scheimpflug imaging systems can evaluate these parameters and have expanded diagnostic criteria for keratoconus, subclinical keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, and post kerato-refractive corneal ectasias.  Their use are necessary to properly screen potential refractive surgery patients … Prior to refractive surgery, corneal topography and tomography performed following a period of contact lens abstinence should be reviewed for evidence of irregular astigmatism or abnormalities suggestive of keratoconus or other forms of corneal ectasia”.

Evaluation of Keratoconus after Treatment with Penetrating Keratoplasty

In an observational study, Ono and colleagues (2020) examined the characteristics of anterior and posterior corneal topography in keratoconic eyes more than 30 years after PK.  Patients who maintained clear grafts for more than 30 years after PK were included and divided into the keratoconus (KC) group or other diseases (Others) group, based on the primary indication; 26 eyes of 26 patients were included.  The KC group and the Others group included 14 eyes and 12 eyes, respectively.  The KC group subjects were younger at the time of surgery (p = 0.03).  No differences were observed in best-spectacle-corrected VA, keratometric power, and central-corneal-thickness.  Based on corneal topography using Fourier harmonic analyses, regular astigmatism in the anterior cornea was significantly larger (p = 0.047) and the spherical component in the posterior cornea was significantly lower (p = 0.01) in the KC group.  The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the spherical component, regular astigmatism, asymmetry component, and higher-order irregularity were 66.07 %, 63.10 %, 57.14 %, and 59.23 %, respectively, in the anterior cornea and 80.65 %, 52.98 %, 63.10 %, and 63.99 %, respectively, in the posterior cornea.  The authors concluded that these findings suggested that Fourier harmonic analysis of corneal topography could be useful for patients with KC long after PK.  Moreover, these researchers stated that prospective, clinical studies that examine more items, compare the pre-operative and post-operative data, and detect risk factors for recurrence are needed.

The authors stated that this study had several drawbacks.  First, the study design was retrospective, and the number of patients was small (n = 26) owing to the rarity of patients who have maintained clear grafts for more than 30 years after PK.  These findings successfully disclosed significant differences in some parameters with Fourier harmonic analysis, although the small patient number could have resulted in a low detection power.  Second, the frequency at which corneal topographic analysis was conducted was limited.  With relatively stable corneal surfaces, patients did not need to frequently visit a medical facility and undergo corneal topographic analysis.  Third, some patients underwent PK at another institution and their data were unavailable for pre-operative and post-operative comparison. 

Table: CPT Codes / HCPCS Codes / ICD-10 Codes
Code Code Description

Information in the [brackets] below has been added for clarification purposes.   Codes requiring a 7th character are represented by "+":

CPT codes covered if selection criteria are met:
92025 Computerized corneal topography, unilateral or bilateral, with interpretation and report

Other CPT codes related to the CPB:
65710 - 65775 Keratoplasty and other corneal procedures
76514 Ophthalmic ultrasound, diagnostic; corneal pachymetry, unilateral or bilateral (determination of corneal thickness)
92071 Fitting of contact lens for treatment of ocular surface disease
92310 - 92326 Contact lens services

HCPCS codes covered if selection criteria are met:

Other HCPCS codes related to the CPB:
S0592 Comprehensive contact lens evaluation
S0810 Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
S0812 Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK)

ICD-10 codes covered if selection criteria are met:
H11.001 - H11.069 Pterygium of eye
H11.811 - H11.819 Pseudopterygium of conjunctiva
H16.001 - H16.079 Corneal Ulcer
H17.9 Unspecified corneal scar and opacity
H18.10 - H18.13 Bullous keratopathy
H18.461 - H18.469 Peripheral corneal degeneration [Terrien's marginal degeneration]
H18.50 - H18.59 Hereditary corneal dystrophies
H18.601 - H18.629 Keratoconus
H18.711 - H18.719 Corneal ectasia
H52.211 - H52.219 Irregular astigmatism
Q13.4 Other congenital corneal malformations [difficulty fitting contact lens]
T85.390+ - T85.398+ Other mechanical complication of other ocular prosthetic devices, implants and grafts
Z94.7 Corneal transplant status

ICD-10 codes not covered for indications listed in the CPB (not all-inclusive):
B60.10 - B60.13 Acanthamebiasis
C69.00 - C69.02 Malignant neoplasm of conjunctiva [evaluation of ocular surface squamous neoplasia]
C69.10 - C69.12 Malignant neoplasm of cornea [evaluation of ocular surface squamous neoplasia]
D31.10 - D31.12 Benign neoplasm of cornea [limbal dermoids]
D89.810 - D89.813 Graft-versus-host disease
H16.141 - H16.149 Punctate keratitis
H16.221 – H16.229 Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, not specified as Sjögren's
H16.301 - H16.399 Interstitial and deep keratitis
H16.8 Other keratitis
H18.421 - H18.429 Band keratopathy
H18.451 - H18.459 Nodular corneal degeneration (e.g., Salzmann's nodular dystrophy)
H25.011 - H26.9 Cataract
H27.111 - H27.139 Subluxation of lens
H35.411 – H35.419 Lattice degeneration of retina
H40.10 - H40.159 Open-angle glaucoma
H52.00 – H52.209, H52.221 - H52.7 Disorders of refraction and accommodation
H53.2 Diplopia
Q11.2 Microphthalmus
Q12.0 Congenital cataract
Q87.40 - Q87.43 Marfan's syndrome

The above policy is based on the following references:

  1. Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research (AHCPR), Cataract Management Guideline Panel. Cataract in adults: Management of functional impairment. Clinical Practice Guideline No. 4. AHCPR Pub. No. 93-0542. Rockville, MD: AHCPR; February 1993.
  2. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Glaucoma Panel. Primary open-angle glaucoma. Preferred Practice Pattern. San Francisco, CA: AAO; October 2010.
  3. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Anterior Segment Panel. Cataract in the adult eye. Preferred Practice Pattern. San Francisco, CA: AAO; 2006.
  4. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Refractive Errors Panel. Refractive errors & refractive surgery. Preferred Practice Pattern. San Francisco, CA: AAO; October 2007.
  5. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Corneal opacification and ectasia. Preferred Practice Pattern. San Francisco, CA: AAO; September 2000.
  6. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Corneal topography. Ophthalmology. 1999;106(8):1628-1638.
  7. American Academy of Ophthalmology Cornea/External Disease Panel. Preferred Practice Pattern®Guidelines. Dry Eye Syndrome. San Francisco, CA: American Academy of Ophthalmology; 2013. Available at: https://www.aao.org/preferred-practice-pattern/dry-eye-syndrome-ppp--2013. Accessed October 8, 2018.
  8. Arroyo JG. Retinal detachment. UpToDate Inc., Waltham, MA. Last reviewed October 2018.
  9. Baer AN. Diagnosis and classification of Sjogren's syndrome. UpToDate Inc., Waltham, MA. Last reviewed October 2018.
  10. Caster AI, Friess DW, Schwendeman FJ. Incidence of epithelial ingrowth in primary and retreatment laser in situ keratomileusis. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2010;36(1):97-101.
  11. Cavas-Martinez F, De la Cruz Sanchez E, Nieto Martinez J, et al. Corneal topography in keratoconus: State of the art. Eye Vis (Lond). 2016;3:5.
  12. Choi JA, Kim MS. Progression of keratoconus by longitudinal assessment with corneal topography. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53(2):927-935.
  13. de Paiva CS, Lindsey JL, Pflugfelder SC. Assessing the severity of keratitis sicca with videokeratoscopic indices. Ophthalmology. 2003;110(6):1102-1109.
  14. Garcia-Ferrer FJ, Akpek EK, Amescua G, et al; American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern Cornea and External Disease Panel. Corneal Ectasia Preferred Practice Pattern. Ophthalmology. 2019;126(1):P170-P215.
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  16. Gokul A, Vellara HR, Patel DV. Advanced anterior segment imaging in keratoconus: A review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2018;46(2):122-132.
  17. Hu PH, Gao GP, Yu Y, et al. Analysis of corneal topography in patients with pure microphthalmia in Eastern China. J Int Med Res. 2015;43(6):834-840.
  18. Majmudar PA. Keratitis, interstitial. eMedicine Ophthalmology Topic 101. Omaha, NE: eMedicine.com; updated January 31, 2001. Available at: http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic101.htm. Accessed July 9, 2003.
  19. Morrow GL, Stein RM. Evaluation of corneal topography: Past, present and future trends. Can J Ophthalmol. 1992;27(5):213-225.
  20. Ono T, Kawasaki Y, Chen LW, et al. Corneal topography in keratoconus evaluated more than 30 years after penetrating keratoplasty: A Fourier harmonic analysis. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):14880.
  21. Oshika T, Klyce SD. Corneal topography in LASIK. Semin Ophthalmol. 1998;13(2):64-70.
  22. Rao SK, Padmanabhan P. Understanding corneal topography. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2000;11(4):248-259.
  23. Rapuano CJ. Management of epithelial ingrowth after laser in situ keratomileusis on a tertiary care cornea service. Cornea. 2010;29(3):307-313.
  24. Sade de Paiva C, Lindsey JL, Pflugfelder SC. Assessing the severity of keratitis sicca with videokeratoscopic indices. Ophthalmology. 2003;110(6):1102-1109.
  25. Sanders DR, Gills JP, Martin RG. When keratometric measurements do not accurately reflect corneal topography. J Cataract Refract Surg. 1993;19 Suppl:131-135.
  26. Seitz B, Behrens A, Langenbucher A. Corneal topography. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 1997;8(4):8-24.
  27. Sherwin T, Brookes NH. Morphological changes in keratoconus: Pathology or pathogenesis. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2004;32(2):211-217.
  28. Sultan G, Baudouin C, Auzerie O, et al. Cornea in Marfan disease: Orbscan and in vivo confocal microscopy analysis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002;43(6):1757-1764.
  29. Tummanapalli SS, Potluri H, Vaddavalli PK, Sangwan VS. Efficacy of axial and tangential corneal topography maps in detecting subclinical keratoconus. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2015;41(10):2205-2214.
  30. Visser N, Berendschot TT, Verbakel F, et al. Comparability and repeatability of corneal astigmatism measurements using different measurement technologies. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012;38(10):1764-1770.
  31. Wayman LL. Keratoconus. UpToDate [online serial]. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; reviewed Novembber 2015.
  32. White ML, Chodosh J. Herpes simplex virus keratitis: A treatment guideline – 2014. June 2014. Available at: https://www.aao.org/clinical-statement/herpes-simplex-virus-keratitis-treatment-guideline. Accessed October 8, 2018.
  33. Wilson SE, Ambrisio R. Computerized corneal topography and its importance to wavefront technology. Cornea. 2001;20(5):441-454.
  34. Wilson SE, Klyce SD. Advances in the analysis of corneal topography. Surv Ophthalmol. 1991;35(4):269-277.
  35. Wolffsohn JS, Peterson RC. Anterior ophthalmic imaging. Clin Exp Optom. 2006;89(4):205-214.