Drug/chem diab with severe nonp rtnop without mclr edema, bi

This code identifies diabetes mellitus caused by medication or chemical exposure, specifically when it presents with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy affecting both eyes, but without any associated macular edema. Severe nonproliferative retinopathy is characterized by widespread intraretinal hemorrhages, venous beading, and/or intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA).

Assign this code when documentation confirms drug or chemical-induced diabetes and ophthalmological examination reveals severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in both eyes, with explicit notation that macular edema is absent. This code is appropriate for patients whose diabetes etiology is directly linked to pharmaceutical agents or toxic chemical exposure.

• Always verify the specific type of retinopathy (nonproliferative vs. proliferative) and its severity (mild, moderate, severe).
• Ensure documentation explicitly states the absence of macular edema, as its presence would necessitate a different code.
• Remember to also code the specific drug or chemical causing the diabetes using an external cause code (T36-T65).