Proliferative sickle-cell retinopathy, unspecified eye

This code describes the presence of proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, a severe ocular complication of sickle cell disease characterized by the growth of abnormal new blood vessels (neovascularization) in the retina. These fragile vessels can lead to vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and vision loss. This specific code is used when the affected eye is not specified in the medical record.

Use this code when the patient has a confirmed diagnosis of proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, and the physician documentation does not specify whether it affects the right, left, or both eyes. This diagnosis is typically made during an ophthalmic examination, often including fundoscopy or fluorescein angiography.

• Always attempt to clarify the affected eye(s) with the provider to use a more specific code (H36.821 for right eye, H36.822 for left eye, H36.823 for bilateral).
• Code the underlying sickle cell disease first, as it is the etiology of the retinopathy.
• Do not confuse with nonproliferative sickle cell retinopathy (H36.81-), which lacks neovascularization.