Exudative retinopathy, bilateral

This code describes exudative retinopathy affecting both eyes. This condition involves the leakage of fluid, lipids, or blood from retinal blood vessels, leading to retinal edema, hard exudates, and potentially serous detachments. It is often a manifestation of underlying systemic diseases like diabetes or hypertension, or primary retinal vascular disorders.

Use this code when documentation specifies exudative retinopathy present in both the right and left eyes. This diagnosis is typically supported by ophthalmoscopic examination findings, fluorescein angiography, or optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrating retinal exudates, edema, or leakage.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "bilateral" involvement; otherwise, use the appropriate unilateral code.
• Always code any underlying systemic disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus with ophthalmic complications, hypertensive retinopathy) first, as it is often the etiology.
• Distinguish from proliferative retinopathy, which involves neovascularization, as the treatment and prognosis differ.