Cortical age-related cataract, left eye

This code signifies a cortical age-related cataract affecting the left eye. A cortical cataract involves opacities in the outer layers of the lens, often appearing as spoke-like or radial opacities. It is a common form of age-related vision impairment.

Use this code when documentation specifies a cortical cataract due to aging in the patient's left eye. This diagnosis is typically made during an ophthalmological examination, often noting decreased visual acuity or glare. Documentation should clearly indicate the type of cataract and the affected eye.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "cortical" and "age-related" to differentiate from other cataract types and etiologies.
• Laterality is crucial; verify the affected eye (left, right, or bilateral) to select the correct code.
• Do not confuse with nuclear or posterior subcapsular age-related cataracts, which have distinct ICD-10-CM codes.