ICD 10 & ICD 9 code for Glaucoma
As we learn we the use of new codes can help in describing the laterality. Here what I mean to say is to have separate codes for right, left or bilateral for any diagnosis. So, with the new icd 10 we will be using codes which will specify the laterality and help in coding more specific diagnosis. Now, we all know how we use to code glaucoma in icd 9. The icd 9 code for acute angle closure glaucoma is 365.22. But if you this code in icd 10 we have separate code for each side of eye and as well as single code for bilateral side. This is also one of the reason we have a significant amount of codes in icd10 compared to icd9. So if we check the new codes used for the glaucoma coding it will as below from category H40.21:
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H40.211 acute angle-closure glaucoma, right eye
H40.212 acute angle-closure glaucoma, left eye
H40.213 acute angle-closure glaucoma, bilateral
H40.219 acute angle-closure glaucoma, unspecified eye
Read also: How to code unilateral, bilateral and unspecified diagnosis in icd10
If we observe the above codes, we can find that the only the 6th digit is getting varied. So, here the 6th digit will describe the laterality. Hence, we can conclude here that if the 6th is 1, 2, 3 & 9 they will denote right, left, bilateral or unspecified side.
1 Right
2 Left
3 Bilateral
9 Unspecified
Read also: When to code Z codes in icd10 for V codes in icd9
Example for ICD10 for laterality
One more example we can consider if we have to code conjunctivitis. Here also, we have to follow the same rule with the 6th digit specifying the laterality. Below are the codes used to code for acute follicular conjunctivitis.
H10.011 Acute follicular conjunctivitis, right eye
H10.012 Acute follicular conjunctivitis, Left eye
H10.013 Acute follicular conjunctivitis, Bilateral
H10.019 Acute follicular conjunctivitis, unspecified
Hope you would have got a simple tip how to differentiate between codes on the basis of laterality. Any question do comment below.
