From 1 November 2022, the item descriptor for item 45617 will be amended to include the following requirements:

• The reference to visual field testing and the requirement that a visual field test must be confirmed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist will be removed and replaced by a history of demonstrated visual impairment documented in the patient notes.
• All other indications for this item will remain.
• The requirement for photographic and/or diagnostic imaging evidence demonstrating the clinical need for this service to be documented in the patient notes for this item is unchanged.

These amendments will ensure that patients requiring appropriate treatment are not unintentionally excluded from claiming this item, by removing references to visual field testing.

Further information is available in the following factsheet:

PDF Version Factsheet for upper eyelid reduction surgery (PDF 169 KB)
Word Version Factsheet for upper eyelid reduction surgery (Word 121 KB)