Eye Diseases – Glaucoma ICD Codes with Eye Model
1. Introduction
Eye diseases affect vision and quality of life. In medical coding, correct identification and
documentation of eye conditions is crucial for accurate reimbursement and clinical data
recording. Among the many eye disorders, glaucoma is one of the most common and serious
because it can lead to permanent blindness if untreated.
---
2. Understanding Glaucoma
Definition:
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve, usually
caused by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP).
The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain and is essential for vision.
Increased pressure inside the eye damages the nerve fibers, leading to vision loss.
---
3. Types of Glaucoma
1. Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG)
Most common type.
Gradual blockage of the eye’s drainage canals increases IOP.
Painless, often unnoticed until significant vision loss.
2. Angle-Closure Glaucoma (ACG)
Sudden blockage of drainage canals.
Causes rapid IOP rise, severe eye pain, headache, and vision loss.
Medical emergency.
3. Normal-Tension Glaucoma
Optic nerve damage occurs despite normal IOP.
May be related to poor blood flow to the optic nerve.
4. Secondary Glaucoma
Caused by another condition (e.g., injury, inflammation, tumor, steroid use).
5. Congenital Glaucoma
Present at birth due to abnormal eye development.
---
4. Symptoms of Glaucoma
Gradual loss of peripheral vision (side vision)
Blurred vision
Halos around lights
Eye pain (especially in angle-closure type)
Redness in the eye
Nausea and vomiting (in acute angle-closure)
---
5. Eye Model – Structure Related to Glaucoma
An eye model helps visualize where glaucoma occurs:
Cornea – clear front surface of the eye.
Aqueous humor – fluid inside the anterior chamber.
Trabecular meshwork – drainage system for aqueous humor.
Optic nerve – transmits visual signals to the brain.
In glaucoma:
The trabecular meshwork becomes blocked.
Fluid builds up, increasing IOP.
This pressure damages the optic nerve head at the back of the eye.
---
6. ICD-10-CM Coding for Glaucoma
Glaucoma codes in ICD-10-CM are found in Chapter 7 – Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa
(H00–H59).
Common ICD-10-CM Codes:
ICD Code Description
H40.10X0 Unspecified open-angle glaucoma, stage unspecified
H40.11X0 Primary open-angle glaucoma, stage unspecified
H40.20X0 Unspecified primary angle-closure glaucoma, stage unspecified
H40.30X0 Glaucoma secondary to eye trauma, stage unspecified
H40.89Other specified glaucoma
H40.9 Unspecified glaucoma
Coding Notes:
ICD-10-CM glaucoma codes often require laterality (right, left, bilateral, unspecified).
They also require stage of glaucoma (mild, moderate, severe, indeterminate).
Example: H40.11X2 → Primary open-angle glaucoma, moderate stage.
---
7. Documentation Requirements for Coding
To code glaucoma accurately, the medical record should include:
1. Type of glaucoma (primary, secondary, congenital).
2. Cause (if secondary).
3. Laterality (right eye, left eye, both eyes).
4. Stage (mild, moderate, severe, indeterminate).
---
8. Example Coding Scenarios
1. Scenario 1:
Diagnosis: Primary open-angle glaucoma, left eye, moderate stage.
ICD-10-CM Code: H40.1122.
2. Scenario 2:
Diagnosis: Acute angle-closure glaucoma, right eye, severe stage.
ICD-10-CM Code: H40.2113.
---
9. Importance in Medical Coding
Correct coding ensures appropriate treatment tracking and insurance claims.
Helps public health agencies track prevalence and prevent blindness through early detection
programs.
Coding errors may lead to incorrect treatment authorizations or claim denials.
---
10. Summary Table
Feature Details
Disease Glaucoma
Main Cause Increased intraocular pressure damaging optic nerve
Common Types POAG, ACG, Normal-tension, Secondary, Congenital
Key Symptoms Peripheral vision loss, halos, pain, redness
ICD-10 Chapter Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa (H00–H59)
Coding Tips Specify type, laterality, stage
