Vitreous hemorrhage, bilateral

This diagnosis code signifies bleeding into the vitreous humor of both eyes. This condition can lead to sudden vision loss or floaters and may be caused by various underlying ocular pathologies. The hemorrhage can range from small, localized bleeds to extensive opacification of the vitreous cavity.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates the presence of vitreous hemorrhage affecting both the right and left eyes. This is typically supported by ophthalmological examination findings such as fundoscopy, B-scan ultrasonography, or optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirming the bilateral involvement. Use this code when the laterality is explicitly stated as bilateral or when separate documentation for each eye confirms vitreous hemorrhage in both.

• Ensure documentation specifies bilateral involvement; if only one eye is affected, use the appropriate unilateral code (H43.11 or H43.12).
• Always code the underlying cause of the vitreous hemorrhage first, if known and documented (e.g., diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, trauma).
• Do not use this code if the hemorrhage is described as subretinal or preretinal; those have distinct codes.