Type 2 diab with severe nonp rtnop with macular edema, bi

This code signifies a patient diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who also presents with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy affecting both eyes. A key component of this diagnosis is the presence of macular edema, indicating fluid accumulation in the macula of both eyes, which can significantly impair vision.

This code is appropriate when documentation clearly states a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and bilateral severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with confirmed macular edema in both eyes. This diagnosis is typically made by an ophthalmologist based on funduscopic examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), or fluorescein angiography.

• Ensure documentation specifies "severe" nonproliferative retinopathy and "bilateral" involvement for both the retinopathy and macular edema.
• Differentiate from moderate or mild nonproliferative retinopathy, and from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, which have distinct codes.
• Always sequence the diabetes code first, as it is the underlying systemic condition causing the retinopathy.