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

This code signifies a patient diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who has developed severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, further complicated by macular edema. This retinal damage is characterized by significant microaneurysms, hemorrhages, and cotton wool spots, with fluid accumulation in the macula, affecting vision in an unspecified eye.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states type 2 diabetes and severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema, without specifying laterality. This typically occurs following an ophthalmological examination confirming the severity of retinopathy and the presence of macular edema.

• Ensure documentation specifies "severe" nonproliferative retinopathy; mild or moderate forms have different codes.
• Verify that macular edema is explicitly documented as present; its absence changes the code.
• If laterality (right, left, or bilateral) is specified, a more specific code should be chosen.