Retinal artery branch occlusion, left eye

This code signifies a blockage in a branch of the retinal artery affecting the left eye. This occlusion restricts blood flow to a specific area of the retina, potentially leading to sudden, painless vision loss or visual field defects in the affected eye.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of retinal artery branch occlusion specifically in the left eye. Supporting documentation should include ophthalmological examination findings such as retinal whitening, cotton wool spots, or a cherry-red spot in the left eye, along with visual field deficits or funduscopic evidence of a branch occlusion.

• Differentiate from central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and other retinal vascular disorders.
• Ensure the laterality (left eye) is explicitly documented and matches the code.
• Look for documentation of the specific branch affected, though this code does not require that level of detail.