2019 Ophthalmology ICD-10-CM Codes
A Quick Reference Guide for ICD-10 Updates
With the new ICD-10 updates that went into effect on October 1, 2018, we wanted to examine a few specific ophthalmology code changes from 2018 to 2019.
“The 2019 ICD-10-CM updates primarily affect oculoplastic specialists. The improved documentation of diseases of the lids and face are much more specific. For example, treating a patient with Paralytic Lagophthalmos can be documented more specifically,” shared Dr. Michael Rivers, Director EMA™ Ophthalmology.
Lagophthalmos
To break down the changes on eyelid specific diagnoses, let’s look at “Paralytic Lagophthalmos.” For 2019, there are three new, additional Lagophthalmos codes used to specify when a patient has the same disease on multiple eyelids.
Example: Paralytic Lagophthalmos (H02.23)
| 2018 ICD-10 “Paralytic Lagophthalmos (H02.23)” 4 location specific diagnoses | 2019 ICD-10 “Paralytic Lagophthalmos (H02.23)” 7 location specific diagnoses |
|---|---|
| H02.231 - Right upper eyelid | H02.231 - Right upper eyelid |
| H02.232 - Right lower eyelid | H02.232 - Right lower eyelid |
| H02.234 - Left upper eyelid | H02.234 - Left upper eyelid |
| H02.235 - Left lower eyelid | H02.235 - Left lower eyelid |
| H02.23A - Right eye, upper and lower eyelids | |
| H02.23B - Left eye, upper and lower eyelids | |
| H02.23C - Bilateral, upper and lower eyelids |
Blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction diagnoses also have new ICD-10 codes to specify diseases affecting multiple eyelids. Unlike Lagophthalmos, these new eyelid combination codes do not have a code for bilateral eyes with upper and lower eyelids. It only has codes for “right eye, upper and lower lids” and “left eye, upper and lower lids.”
Example: H01.00 Unspecified blepharitis
| 2018 ICD-10 “H01.00 Unspecified blepharitis” 4 location specific diagnoses | 2018 ICD-10 “H01.00 Unspecified blepharitis” 6 location specific diagnoses |
|---|---|
| H01.001 - Right upper eyelid | H01.001 - Right upper eyelid |
| H01.002 - Right lower eyelid | H01.002 - Right lower eyelid |
| H01.004 - Left upper eyelid | H01.004 - Left upper eyelid |
| H01.005 - Left lower eyelid | H01.005 - Left lower eyelid |
| H01.00A - Right eye, upper and lower eyelids | |
| H01.00B - Left eye, upper and lower eyelids |
Additional New 2019 Ophthalmology ICD-10 Codes
“Rosacea Conjunctivitis,” “Brow ptosis” and “Other specified disorders of eye and adnexa” are completely new diagnoses in 2019 ICD-10. They are listed below.
| Paralytic ectropion of eyelid |
|---|
| H02.154 Paralytic ectropion of left upper eyelid |
| H02.155 Paralytic ectropion of left lower eyelid |
| H02.151 Paralytic ectropion of right upper eyelid |
| H02.152 Paralytic ectropion of right lower eyelid |
| Rosacea Conjunctivitis |
|---|
| Code first underlying rosacea dermatitis (L71.-) |
| H10.821 - Rosacea conjunctivitis, right eye |
| H10.822 - Rosacea conjunctivitis, left eye |
| H10.823 - Rosacea conjunctivitis, bilateral |
| H10.829 - Rosacea conjunctivitis, unspecified eye |
| Brow Ptosis |
|---|
| H57.811 - Brow ptosis, right |
| H57.812 - Brow ptosis, left |
| H57.813 - Brow ptosis, bilateral |
| H57.819 - Brow ptosis, unspecified |
| Other Specified Disorders of Eye and Adnexa |
|---|
| H57.89 - Other specified disorders of eye and adnexa |
Want more on ICD-10? Visit our “2019 ICD-10 Changes” blog post for additional medical specialties updates and learn how our ophthalmology EHR, EMA, can help your practice.
Danielle Zarnowiec, MBA
Requirements Analyst
Danielle Zarnowiec joined Modernizing Medicine in October 2012 and in her current role she serves as the team lead for EMA’s Medical Coding Engine and RCM’s Intelligent Claims Engine.
Previously, Danielle was the owner and operator of a Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) company specializing in medical coding consulting, revenue cycle management and physician quality reporting.
Danielle earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Andrews University where she served as captain of the NCAA women’s soccer and tennis teams. She then graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with an MBA in international business.
