Rupture in Descemet's membrane, bilateral

This code signifies a tear or break in Descemet's membrane, the innermost layer of the corneal stroma, affecting both eyes. This condition can lead to corneal edema and vision impairment due to fluid accumulation in the cornea. It is often associated with congenital glaucoma, birth trauma, or corneal dystrophies.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states a rupture of Descemet's membrane in both the right and left eyes. This diagnosis is typically made via slit-lamp examination, often revealing Haab's striae (linear breaks in Descemet's membrane). Use this code for conditions like congenital glaucoma with bilateral corneal changes or bilateral birth-related corneal trauma.

• Ensure documentation specifies "bilateral" involvement; otherwise, a unilateral code (H18.331 or H18.332) or unspecified code (H18.339) would be more appropriate.
• Always code the underlying cause (e.g., congenital glaucoma, birth trauma) first, if known and documented, as this condition is often a manifestation of another disease.
• Do not confuse with other corneal dystrophies or degenerations that may affect Descemet's membrane but do not involve an acute rupture.